High Street Bridge Closures and LinkUS Groundbreaking: Columbus Commute Update

Morning Commute Overview for Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Good morning, Columbus commuters. As we move into the second week of February, road conditions have stabilized following the winter weather advisory and freezing temperatures that impacted Central Ohio this past weekend. While major highways are mostly clear of snow, drivers should remain alert for localized icy patches on overpasses and ramps as overnight lows continue to hover near the freezing mark.

Downtown Ramp-Up and Bridge Closures

The landscape of downtown travel continues to shift as the multi-year I-70/I-71 'Downtown Ramp Up' project enters its 2026 construction phases. Following the successful reopening of the Front Street bridge, ODOT has transitioned heavy work to the High Street corridor. The High Street bridge over the interstate is currently seeing significant restrictions; commuters who typically use this route to enter the city from the south are advised to detour via the newly completed Fulton Street ramp. This new two-lane gateway is now the primary access point for the southern downtown district and is significantly reducing the 'weave' traffic that previously caused daily bottlenecks.

Major Artery Updates: I-270 and I-70

Beyond the downtown core, several major projects are impacting travel times this morning:

• I-270 North Side: Widening work continues on the ramp from I-270 eastbound to I-71 northbound near Polaris. This remains a high-volume congestion point. Expect slow-moving traffic between US-23 and the I-71 interchange through the 9:00 AM hour.
• I-70 West Side: Lane shifts and concrete barriers are in place between the Madison County line and Hilliard-Rome Road for ongoing pavement rehabilitation. While all lanes are generally open during peak hours, the narrowed lanes require reduced speeds.
• I-70 Southeast: Resurfacing work on the outerbelt between I-70 and Alum Creek Drive is currently in a winter maintenance phase, but overnight lane closures are expected to resume as temperatures allow.

COTA and LinkUS Transit Alerts

For those utilizing public transit, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has returned to standard fare operations after the emergency weather waivers provided during last week's cold snap. This month marks a major milestone for the region with the official groundbreaking of the LinkUS West Broad Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line. Commuters in the Hilltop and Franklinton areas should look for intermittent sidewalk closures and curb-lane restrictions as utility crews prepare the corridor for dedicated transit lanes. COTA officials remind riders to check the mobile app for real-time adjustments as these long-term improvements begin to take shape.

Safety and Weather Precautions

With the freeze-thaw cycle in effect this week, 'black ice' is a persistent threat during the early morning hours, particularly on the new flyover ramps at the I-70/I-71 split. ODOT crews are continuing to monitor pavement temperatures, but drivers are urged to maintain extra following distance during the morning rush.