The City of Columbus is awarded just over $800,000 in federal grant funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation Transportation Alternatives program.

The Columbus project is divided into two primary sections aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and local connectivity. Section 1 will provide for sidewalk construction on the north side of the road at the intersection of Washington Avenue and West Maple Street, extending west to Riverside Drive. This will include drainage improvements along West Maple Street to mitigate steep ditches. Section 2 will see the construction of a sidewalk on the south side of East Maple Street, east of US-69, extending east to the Apple Glen Apartments.

Columbus City Administrator Jake Letner stated that the funding will help the City complete the project to connect the new Lakewood West subdivision to the interior community, by providing a safe pedestrian traffic way for Columbus residents.