COLUMBUS – A couple of major highway projects are entering new phases this weekend but it will mean some disruptions for motorists who travel I-70 and I-71 through downtown Columbus.
I-70 will be closed in both directions while Ohio Department Transportation contractors install steel beams for the new Grant Avenue bridge. The eastbound lanes will reopen Sunday morning while the westbound side will remain closed until Monday.
The new bridge is expected to open by Dec. 31, one in a series of ODOT projects to improve the I-70/71 corridor through downtown Columbus, one of the most heavily traveled stretches of highway in the state.
Traffic Impact:
9pm Friday-5am Sunday
Third St. to I-70 EB ramp will close
Detour: Third St. to Livingston Ave. to I-70 EB
Broad St. to I-71 SB ramp will close
Detour: I-71 NB to I-670 WB to SR 315 SB to I-71 SB.
10pm Friday-5am Sunday
SR 315 SB to I-70 EB ramp will close
Detour: I-670 EB to I-71 SB to I-70 EB
11pmFriday-5amSunday
All lanes of I-70 EB at I-670 CLOSE
11pm Friday-5am Monday
All lanes of I-70 WB between I-71 & SR 315 CLOSE
Meanwhile, the the $113 million South Side Mega Fix project enters a new phase ODOT will switch drivers onto brand new pavement between Frank Road and Stringtown Road. The new pavement is closer to the median and will allow crews to begin work on the outside lanes.
Northbound I-71 traffic switched Thursday and southbound traffic was scheduled to follow Friday night into Saturday morning.
The number of lanes will stay the same and the speed limit on the new pavement will remain 55 mph because of narrow lanes and lack of a shoulder.
The South Side Mega Fix project, which began last year, will add a lane in each direction of I-71 between State Route 315 and Stringtown Road and build new ramps at the I-71/I-270 Interchange (see diagram, right).
The project is expected to be completed in 2020.