Lane Shifts on I-70/71 and COTA Reroutes Near Riverside Hospital Impact Thursday Commute

Morning Traffic Overview

Commuters in Columbus should prepare for a mix of long-term construction impacts and specific transit reroutes this Thursday, February 12, 2026. While major arteries remain passable, the ongoing Downtown Ramp Up project and new resurfacing work on the city’s west side are expected to create localized bottlenecks during the morning and afternoon peaks.

Major Highway Impacts

The I-70/I-71 Downtown Ramp Up remains the primary focus for central Ohio drivers. Construction activity is currently concentrated on the High Street bridge, which remains under restricted access following the reopening of the Front Street bridge. Travelers moving through the downtown split should expect narrow lanes and shifted traffic patterns. Specifically, the permanent closure of the loop ramp from I-70 East to SR 315 continues to require motorists to use the designated detours via the downtown street grid.

On the west side, resurfacing projects are active on I-70 between the Madison County line and Hilliard-Rome Road. While much of this work is scheduled for off-peak hours, motorists may encounter residual lane closures or uneven pavement during the early morning hours. Additionally, drivers on the southeast outerbelt (I-270) between I-70 and Alum Creek Drive should watch for crews wrapping up overnight resurfacing tasks that may linger until 6:00 AM.

COTA Service and Transit Alerts

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has issued several active alerts for today that may affect local bus commuters:

• Line 1 (Short Turn): Due to ongoing construction at Riverside Hospital, Line 1 is currently operating on a temporary reroute. This adjustment began earlier this month and is expected to last through early March. Stop SID 6364 remains closed; passengers are advised to use the nearest alternative boarding locations.
• Line 75: A long-term reroute is in effect for Line 75 due to infrastructure work on Tremont Road. Impacted stops include those at the intersections of Tremont & Wilshire and Tremont & Northam. Temporary stops have been established on Northam Road.
• Easton Transit Center: For those utilizing Line 24, please note that Bay 3 at the Easton Transit Center remains closed for maintenance. Passengers should confirm their bus headers at other available bays.

Commuter Advice

For those traveling toward the Ohio State University area, be aware that recent shelter removals at W. Lane Ave. and N. High St. may affect waiting areas for Line 1. Drivers heading toward the north side should also account for increased volume on the I-270 eastbound ramp to I-71 northbound near Polaris, where widening work continues to limit shoulder space. As always, commuters are encouraged to allow an extra 10 to 15 minutes for travel through the downtown core and to use transit apps for real-time bus tracking.