COLUMBUS, Ohio – Big changes are coming to one of the biggest highway construction projects in central Ohio.
Due to possible inclement weather, ODOT advises crews will decide after 6:00 p.m. whether southbound US 23 traffic will be reconfigured.
According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, both directions of U.S. 23 near I-270 on the North Side will be switched into a new traffic pattern by Friday morning’s commute, signaling a major milestone in the North Side Fix, ODOT spokeswoman Nancy Burton said.
When traffic is switched to the west side of U.S. 23, Burton says crews will start digging a trench for two new northbound express lanes for U.S. 23, which will be built 25 feet below ground, extending from south of Campus View Boulevard to just south of Northwoods Boulevard.
To start digging the trench, both directions of U.S. 23 will be pushed over on temporary pavement on the far west side of the roadway.
New traffic patterns on U.S. 23 are temporary, but Burton says they will be in place for close to two years because it will take that long to dig the trench and build the new traffic lanes.
To protect motorists and the construction crews, portable concrete barriers will be on both sides of the trench, restricting and detouring several routes:
Wednesday, May 14 8:00 p.m. – Crews will begin switching southbound traffic on U.S. 23 to the new pavement just pass Northwoods Blvd. There will be numerous law enforcement officers to assist. Motorists should expect delays even though no additional lanes will be closed. Overnight Wednesday, southbound U.S. 23 motorists will be on the new pavement.
Thursday, May 15 8:00 p.m. – Crews will begin switching northbound traffic on U.S. 23 to the new pavement just past Campus View Blvd. There will be numerous law enforcement officers to assist. Motorists should expect delays even though no additional lanes will be closed. Overnight Thursday, northbound U.S. 23 motorists will be travelling on the new pavement.
Friday, May 16 – NO LEFT TURN from northbound U.S. 23 to W. Campus View. The detour is right onto Dimension Drive, (by the Ruckmoor) to High Cross to E. Campus View and straight through the light.
NO LEFT TURN U.S. 23 SOUTH TO FLINT ROAD – turn at Lazelle Road to get to Flint Rd. from US 23 South. Travelling north on US 23, you will be able to access Flint Rd.
By May 23rd – NO TURN onto Radio City Drive. If north on US 23, you should turn right at Dimension Drive, (by the Ruckmoor) to right on Hutchinson Avenue and follow it around to Huntington Park Drive and straight to Crosswoods Drive. If south on US 23, you will be able to turn left onto E. Campus View Blvd.