COLUMBUS – A trio of ramp closings and traffic pattern changes may surprise motorists in the next several days but they signal progress on major projects that have caused commuters headaches for months.
Downtown traffic pattern change
UPDATE 7/10/21 12:00 p.m.: Due to inclement weather over the weekend, the I-70 eastbound traffic pattern shift will now happen Tuesday.
A change in the traffic patterns on I-70 eastbound at the downtown split will impact drivers this weekend as part of the project to improve traffic flow on the state’s busiest section of interstate, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Starting Sunday morning, instead of crossing over on to the westbound side of I-70 before Grant Avenue, eastbound drivers will continue straight, passing under the soon-to-open entrance ramp from Fulton Street and over the new tunnel ramp to I-71 north (see graphic above).
After the new lanes open, I-70 east traffic will still need to stay left to continue eastbound, and drivers headed to I-71 north will stay to the right. I-70 westbound traffic will continue to be reduced to one lane to allow the contractor to complete some drainage work.
Shifting I-70 east into its final configuration is necessary to be able to open the new ramp from Fulton Street to I-70 east and puts the project one step closer to completion, expected in November.
Stringtown Rd./I-71
Beginning Friday night, the ramp from Stringtown Road to I-71 north in the Grove City area will close for the July 9-11 weekend.
By Monday morning, the ramp will be in its final configuration and all lanes will be open (see above).
Also starting Monday, northbound drivers on I-71 headed to I-270 will have to exit much sooner than before.
Drivers should follow the overhead signs and exit for I-270 before Stringtown Road.
This will put I-270 traffic as well as traffic entering from Stringtown Road to the right of the new barrier wall, while thru traffic on I-71 north will be left of the wall.
This new traffic pattern will reduce congestion caused by crisscrossing traffic entering and exiting the interstate, similar to the changes that were made in the southbound direction late last year, ODOT officials said.
Once the new lane opens on Monday, crews will finish the remaining barrier wall work necessary to shift all northbound lanes into their final configuration.
Weather permitting, ODOT officials say all work is expected to be complete in August.
Harrisburg Pike/I-71 ramp
The U.S. Route 62 ramp to I-71 northbound (above) will close starting 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 13, as part of the I-71 widening project between the Franklin County Line and state route 665.
The ramp will be closed for 30 days for reconstruction.
Drivers will need to take U.S. 62 to SR 665 to access I-71 northbound.