New Flyover Eases Downtown Split as Sawmill Road Transit Closures Begin

Tuesday Morning Traffic Overview

As Columbus commuters head out this Tuesday morning, March 10, 2026, the overall flow of traffic is benefiting significantly from the major I-71 southbound flyover ramp that opened late last year. While the notorious "left-hand squeeze" that long plagued the downtown split is now a thing of the past, the ongoing Downtown Ramp Up project continues to shift its footprint. Motorists should expect new lane configurations and potential slowing near the High Street and Third Street bridge crossings as the next phase of reconstruction takes hold.

Highway Construction and Major Arteries

Commuters utilizing the South Side and Downtown corridors should remain alert for active work zones. The following projects are currently impacting drive times:

• I-70/I-71 Downtown Ramp Up: Construction is heavy as crews focus on the replacement of the High Street, 3rd Street, and 4th Street bridges over I-70. Motorists should expect intermittent lane shifts through the West Split as Phase 4R/6R enters its final stages of activity scheduled through the fall.
• I-71 SmartLane and Widening: Work continues on the I-71 corridor between I-670 and I-270. While most lanes remain open during the rush hour, drivers can expect testing of the new SmartLane technology, which may cause brief distractions or shoulder closures.
• Livingston Avenue Reconstruction: Phase B of the Livingston Avenue project is now active. Commuters should expect narrowed lanes and localized detours between Front Street and High Street as the city continues its conversion of the area to a two-way traffic pattern.

Public Transit Alerts: COTA Service Changes

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has issued several alerts that are particularly relevant for this morning's commute. Most notably, a series of construction-related stop closures began yesterday and will impact several major routes through the next two weeks.

• Sawmill and Hard Road Closures: Stops 7703 (West Dublin Granville), 7679, and 7218 (Sawmill Road) are currently closed for construction through March 22. Temporary stops have been established approximately 490 feet south of Hard Road on the west side of Sawmill.
• Riverside Hospital Area: Stop 3825 on West North Broadway was recently relocated 200 feet east. This change affects Lines 1, 32, and 72 and is expected to remain in place throughout the 2026 construction season.
• Fleet and App Updates: COTA has recently transitioned more routes back to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to improve reliability. Additionally, riders are encouraged to begin familiarizing themselves with the new customer-facing app for paratransit services launching later this month.

Commuter Advice

While the new flyover has streamlined the path for southbound I-71 traffic, the permanent closure of the 3rd Street ramp to I-70 West means drivers must use Mound Street as their primary access point into the downtown core. We recommend allowing an extra 10 to 15 minutes for commutes passing through the Downtown East interchange as bridge deck rehabilitation continues. Stay patient and watch for crews near the bridge abutments on High Street.