COLUMBUS – Authorities and the thousands of people who live and work in the area are bracing for “Store-mageddon” when Ohio’s second IKEA store opens near the Polaris/Gemini exit on I-71 on Wednesday.
For more than three months, the Ohio Department of Transportation, the City of Columbus, IKEA representatives and law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions have put their heads together to plan for traffic control on the retailer’s opening day and the during the first two weekends, perhaps hoping to avoid the gridlock that accompanied the grand opening of the Cabela’s store in 2013.
“Preventing crashes and keeping traffic moving safely through the area are top priorities for ODOT,” said ODOT District 6 deputy director Jack Marchbanks. “In addition to partnering with local law enforcement, ODOT will utilize several resources including digital message boards, traffic cameras and social media to alert drivers of the congestion.”
Heavy traffic is expected in the Polaris/Gemini area for IKEA's opening this week. Watch for stopped traffic on I-71. #OHGOB4UGO pic.twitter.com/9sntf53Ht7
— ODOT Columbus (@ODOT_Columbus) June 5, 2017
Officials expect 51,000 cars to drive the area of IKEA Way and Lyra Drive once the store opens with the furniture retailer‘s customers accounting for as many as 15,000 of those cars, Columbus police said.
Law enforcement officers will be stationed at more than 40 locations, including key ramps, to assist with traffic flow and signal timing. Thru traffic not exiting at Polaris/Gemini is encouraged to stay in the left lanes of the interstate.
Columbus officers will be staffing 14 traffic posts and will be able to manually override the signals.
IKEA has 1,200 paved parking places and will use the land where the former Germain Amphitheater used to stand as overflow, which will add 800 additional spots. When those are full, police say traffic will be directed counterclockwise (see map, above) along IKEA Way toward Lyra Drive to create a constant flow of traffic until more parking becomes available.
Officers will oversee the flow of traffic for the first five days, during all store hours. After the five day period, traffic authorities will reevaluate their plan.
ODOT’s traffic management plan includes nine message boards in northern Franklin and southern Delaware Counties warning drivers to watch for stopped traffic or consider an alternate route if traffic is backed up on I-71.
ODOT officials point out that motorists sitting in a stopped lane of traffic while other motorists drive by at interstate speeds is extremely dangerous.
To keep traffic flowing as efficiently as possible ODOT officials suggest the following:
I-71 northbound drivers headed to the store opening should take the exit for Polaris Pkwy, rather than the Gemini/IKEA Way exit
I-71 southbound traffic should turn right onto Gemini and take Lyra Drive to Polaris (instead of turning left on Gemini/IKEA Way)
From Polaris, drivers should take Worthington Road to eastbound IKEA Way
ODOT will also assign State Farm Safety Patrol units (pictured) to I-71 between State Route 161 and US 36/SR 37 and I-270 between U.S. Route 23 and Cleveland Avenue for the opening week.