COLUMBUS – Drivers who have been gritting their teeth through months of construction on the West Outerbelt can take some cold comfort from the news that the project is reaching a turning point – or at least a shifting point – this weekend which means it is nearing completion.
Weather permitting, northbound I-270 traffic between Hilliard and Dublin will be switched onto new pavement so crews can complete construction on the outside lanes. To make this happen, several ramps and lanes will be closed.
FRIDAY JULY 13
7 PM: I-270 NB reduced to two lanes between Cemetery Rd. and US 33. The following ramps will close:
I-270 NB to Cemetery Rd. EB
I-270 NB to US 33 EB
8 PM: Ramp from I-270 NB to Cemetery Rd. WB closes.
9 PM: Ramp from I-270 NB to Tuttle Crossing Blvd. closes.
10 PM: I-270 NB is reduced to one lane. The following ramps will close:
Ramp from Cemetery Rd. WB to I-270 NB closes
Ramp from Tuttle Crossing Blvd. to I-270 NB closes
8 AM SATURDAY: All ramps are open and I-270 NB is reduced to two lanes between Cemetery Rd. and US 33.
11 AM SATURDAY: All lanes on I-270 NB are traveling on new pavement.
-Source: ODOT
The $66.5 million project to add a lane in each direction of I-270 between Hilliard and Dublin is set to be complete this fall and will accomodate a growing amount of traffic on this stretch of interstate, which is expected to increase by 30,000 vehicles a day in the next 20 years, Ohio Department of Transportation officials said.
When completed, I-270 will be widened from three to four lanes in both directions between Trabue Road and U.S. 33.
The project also includes rehabilitating 10 bridges; upgrading safety features like guardrails, cable rails, drainage, lighting and signing, and constructing two noise walls.