COLUMBUS, Ohio — The next phase of road work on the Interstate 70/71 Split in downtown Columbus is set to get underway, which will continue into 2025.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Wednesday the next phase of construction on the Split, which he says will improve access to and from downtown Columbus from the Interstate 70/71 interchange and State Route 315. 

“This section of highway is one of the busiest and most vital routes for freight operators and commuters in the region, and central Ohio has long outgrown it,” said DeWine. “This project modernizes an outdated interchange and tackles the biggest congestion and safety problems on the road to benefit Ohioans for generations to come."

The governor’s office said the project comes at a cost of $280 million, the most expensive road project in central Ohio history. 

There has already been $700 million committed to improving the 70/71 Split. Crews have already eliminated the Third Street on ramp and moved lanes for continuing on Interstate 71 north through downtown.

The next phase will provide two continuous lanes of I-70 and I-71 in each direction, the state said. 

Other changes over the next three years include: 

  • Constructs new ramp from Interstate 70 east to Fulton Street

  • Widens Interstate 70 bridge over Souder Road

  • Replaces Interstate 70 bridge over Short Street and the Front Street bridge over Interstate 70

  • Reconstructs Livingston Avenue between Front Street and High Street

  • Converts Front Street to two-way traffic between Livingston Avenue and Mound Street

  • Reconstructs Fulton Street between Front Street and High Street, which closes existing ramps from Interstate 70 east to Front Street and Interstate 70 east to Livingston Avenue

  • Replaces deck on Interstate 70 west bridge over State Route 315 and ramps, overlays Interstate 70 east bridge over State Route 315

  • Builds new ramp from Mound St. to I-71 south including new bridge over the Scioto River and SR 315 and a new bridge over Short St.

  • Reconstructs the existing ramp from Mound St. to I-70 west, including new bridge over Short St.

  • Reconstructs Mound St. between Front St. and the cul-de-sac

Ohio Department of Transportation officials said the corridor has 900 crashes a year.  

“In the coming years, there will be a lot of change in this downtown corridor, and it will require drivers to adapt,” said ODOT Interim District 6 Deputy Director Anthony Turowski. “If you can endure the inconvenience on the front end, your return on investment in the long run will be worth it when it comes to safer and more efficient travel through the capital city.”

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