I-70 Lane Shifts and Downtown Ramp Closures Impact Friday Commute

Morning Commute Overview for Columbus

As we head into the weekend on Friday, February 20, 2026, commuters in the Columbus area should prepare for significant ongoing traffic pattern changes, particularly along the I-70 corridor and throughout the downtown area. While no major new incidents have been reported this morning, long-term construction projects associated with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Downtown Ramp Up and the Far East Freeway project continue to dictate travel times.

Major Highway and Roadwork Updates

Drivers should be mindful of the following construction zones and lane shifts currently in effect:

• I-70 Pavement Reconstruction: Westbound traffic on I-70 between the Madison County line and Hilliard Rome Road remains shifted to the eastbound side of the roadway. ODOT has maintained two lanes of traffic in each direction, but motorists should expect delays during peak morning and afternoon hours due to the narrow lane configuration. This pattern is expected to stay in place through Fall 2026.
• I-70/I-71 Downtown Ramp Up: Several permanent changes are now fully in effect downtown. The 3rd Street ramp to I-70 westbound is closed permanently; drivers are advised to use the detour via 3rd Street to Mound Street to access I-70 westbound or I-71 southbound. Additionally, the I-70 eastbound ramp to Livingston Avenue remains closed. Commuters should instead use the I-70 eastbound ramp to Fulton Street.
• Far East Freeway (Brice Road): Brice Road over I-70 is currently reduced to one lane in each direction for bridge reconstruction. While two left-turn lanes from Brice Road northbound to I-70 westbound are being maintained, heavy congestion is likely near the interchange.
• I-270/I-71 Interchange: While overnight restrictions are slated for next week on the north side, current travelers should still watch for daytime shoulder work and maintenance vehicles moving through the interchange.

Public Transport and COTA Alerts

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has issued a service alert for riders using Line 1. Due to ongoing construction at Riverside Hospital, Line 1 is currently operating on a reroute that is expected to last through March 2, 2026. Northbound buses are being diverted to a temporary layover location on OhioHealth Parkway, while southbound buses are resuming their regular route via West North Broadway and Olentangy River Road. Riders should allow for extra travel time if their route includes the hospital campus area.

Safety Reminder for Drivers

Local authorities remind all motorists to remain alert and reduce speed when passing through active work zones. The "Move Over" law is strictly enforced in Ohio, requiring drivers to move over or slow down when approaching vehicles with flashing lights, including construction crews and safety patrols. With the current lane shifts on I-70, maintaining a safe following distance is critical to avoiding rear-end collisions in slowed traffic.