COLUMBUS – Drivers are getting used to new traffic patterns (see above) at the West Side’s biggest highway interchange following the fiery crash of a tanker truck carrying thousands of gallons of ethanol.
Transportation officials closed the portion of eastbound I-70 between Hilliard-Rome Road and Wilson Road 24 hours after the overturned truck caught fire beneath the overpass at the I-120/I-70 interchange on the morning of July 1.
Workers constructed a temporary lane to carry the eastbound traffic on the westbound side of the I-70 median.
The Ohio Department of Transportation says the roughly 60-foot span of the I-70 overpasses across I-270 must be replaced because flames cracked the concrete and compromised structural steel.
Police say the driver suffered minor injuries and was cited for failure to control and transporting a hazardous load within city limits.
ODOT opened two lanes of I-70 eastbound in the new configuration Friday so the contractor, Shelly and Sands, can take the next month to fix the bridge that was destroyed last week in a tanker fire. The work could cost up to $1 million, ODOT officials said.
Between the Hilliard-Rome Road entrance ramp and the exit ramp to 270 SB, two eastbound lanes of I-70 cross over to the westbound side to travel over 270, then cross back over before reaching the Wilson Road exit. Both east and westbound 70 traffic—separated by concrete barrier—will be on the westbound side.
The speed for both directions of I-70 through the crossover is 45 mph.
The new traffic pattern also means several ramps will be closed for the next month:
I-270 South to I-70 East. Detour: I-270 south to I-71 north or continue on I-270 to I-70 east
I-270 North to I-70 West. Detour: I-270 north to Roberts Road, continuous left turn onto Roberts Road west and continuous left turn onto the ramp to I-270 south. Take I-270 south to I-70 west.
I-70 East to I-270 North. Detour: I-70 east to Wilson Road to I-70 west to I-270 north.
Roberts Road west to I-270 South. Detour: Roberts Road westbound to Hilliard-Rome Road southbound to I-70 east to I-270 south.