Major Ramp Closures and Icy Patches Impact Thursday Morning Commute

Commute Overview: Navigating the Downtown Bottlenecks

Commuters in Columbus face a challenging morning this Thursday, February 5, 2026, as significant construction projects and frigid temperatures converge to slow traffic across the metro area. While major highways are generally clear of heavy snow, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office reminds drivers that the extreme cold—with morning lows dipping near 4 degrees Fahrenheit—has left lingering icy patches on bridges and overpasses. A recent multi-vehicle incident on I-70 West near the downtown core has already caused significant congestion, and motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution when merging.

Major Arteries and Ramp Closures

The ongoing modernization of the I-70/I-71 interchange continues to be the primary source of delays for those heading into the city center. Several critical ramps remain closed today as part of the multi-phase reconstruction project:

• I-70 Westbound to I-71 Southbound: This ramp is closed for long-term construction. Commuters should use posted detours via the downtown surface streets.
• 3rd Street Ramp to I-70 Westbound: Access to the westbound freeway from 3rd Street is currently blocked.
• SR 315 Southbound to I-70 Eastbound: This major connection point is closed, forcing traffic to find alternate routes through the inner belt.
• I-70 Eastbound to Livingston Avenue: This exit remains closed, impacting access to the Near East Side and the medical district.

In western Franklin County, the bridge rehabilitation project on Trabue Road over the Scioto River continues to restrict travel. The roadway is reduced to two lanes—one in each direction—and this configuration is expected to remain in place through much of 2026. Travelers should expect heavy backups during peak hours between Upper Arlington and Hilliard.

COTA Service Alerts and Reroutes

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has issued several alerts for riders today. Due to construction at Riverside Hospital, Line 1 (Short Turn) is undergoing a temporary reroute that began earlier this week and will continue through early March. Stop SID 6364 is currently closed.

Additionally, Line 75 continues to experience stop closures and reroutes along Tremont Road between Wilshire Drive and Northam Road. Transit users are encouraged to use the temporary stops established in the area. Line 35 riders should also be aware of the ongoing stop closure at Morse Road and Westerville Road, with service redirected to nearby stops at Dunbridge Street.

Weather and Safety Advice

With temperatures struggling to reach a high of 20 degrees today, road salt effectiveness may be diminished in some areas. Maintenance crews have been active overnight, but the risk of black ice remains high on ramps and secondary roads. The Columbus Division of Police recommends increasing following distances and allowing an extra 15 to 20 minutes for the morning commute to account for ramp detours and weather-related slowdowns.