COLUMBUS – A widening of US 33 in southeastern Franklin County and the next phase of the massive Columbus Crossroads project downtown are among 31 proposed highway construction projects that have made the list up for final approval by the Transportation Review Advisory Council.
The nine-member council chaired by the director of the Ohio Department of Transportation, approved the annual draft list of projects to receive funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Major New Capacity Program over the next four years.
It includes more than $390 million in new funding commitments, $225 million of which are tentatively earmarked for central Ohio projects.
The largest single project is the $120 million rebuilding of the east interchange of I-70 and I-71 in downtown Columbus, eliminating weaves, consolidating ramps and adding capacity (see illustration above).
Other Franklin County projects:
-$72 million for reconstruction I-71 between E. Main Street and E. Broad Street.
-$31 million to widen US Route 33 from four lanes to six from the I-270 interchange to the Fairfield County line while improving the interchange and replacing two existing intersections at Bixby and Rager Roads.
In Fairfield County, a $59.5 project awaiting final approval would replace the existing intersection of US Route 33 and Pickerington Road with an interchange.
In Licking County, $5 million has been requested to cover cost increases affecting the replacement of a failing stone arch bridge on Cherry Valley Rd over Raccoon Creek.
A $19 million project in Pickaway County would complete the improvements and a master plan envisioned for the Rickenbacker East-West Connector by converting the existing intersection into a full interchange.
A $19 million request funds a study of improvements along US Route 23 north of the city of Delaware that will eliminate existing traffic signals.
The public can comment on the draft list by emailing trac@dot.ohio.gov until March 23 and the council will vote on the final list on March 29.