New Roundabout Construction Closes Brown Road; Major Reroutes Active for COTA Line 1

Commuter Alert: Major South Side Closure Begins Today

Good morning, Columbus. As we start the work week on Monday, February 9, 2026, the biggest headline for local commuters is a significant new closure on the South Side. The Franklin County Engineer’s Office has confirmed that Brown Road, just north of Frank Road, is officially closed starting this morning. This closure is expected to last for approximately 90 days to facilitate the construction of a new multi-lane roundabout.

Motorists who typically use Brown Road to navigate toward Hardy Parkway should follow the posted detours. Expect increased congestion on Frank Road and nearby alternative routes as traffic adjusts to the new pattern. This project is part of a larger effort to improve safety and traffic flow in the Frank Road corridor, but it will require patience from area residents through the spring months.

Downtown I-70/I-71 "Ramp Up" Impacts

The massive $1.4 billion Downtown Ramp Up project continues to reshape the city’s core. Commuters heading into the city center should remain aware of several long-term changes that may impact their Monday morning drive:

• High Street Bridge: Reconstruction work continues on the High Street bridge over I-70. Traffic is currently reduced to just one lane in each direction, which remains a primary bottleneck during peak hours.
• 3rd Street Access: As a reminder, the 3rd Street ramp to I-70 westbound is now permanently closed. Drivers are advised to utilize 3rd Street to Mound Street to access the westbound highway or I-71 southbound.
• I-70 East Side: Near the Brice Road interchange, lane restrictions remain in effect for pavement reconstruction. Two lanes of traffic are being maintained in each direction, but the shift to the eastbound side of the roadway can cause sudden slowing.

COTA Transit Updates and Reroutes

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has several active service alerts that may affect your Monday morning bus ride. Riders are encouraged to check the Transit app for real-time location data:

• Line 1 (Short Turn): Due to ongoing construction at Riverside Hospital, Line 1 is currently operating on a temporary reroute. This adjustment is scheduled to continue through March 2. Notably, stop SID 6364 is currently closed.
• Line 75: Long-term construction on Tremont Road has triggered stop closures and reroutes that will affect riders through September 2026. Temporary stops have been established at Northam Road for northbound service.
• Easton Transit Center: Bay 3 remains closed for Line 24. Riders should confirm their bus headers at the center as pickups may occur at any available bay until early March.

Monday Travel Tips

With the new Brown Road closure and the ongoing downtown work, we recommend allowing an extra 15 to 20 minutes for cross-town trips today. If you are heading downtown, the Mound Street corridor is currently the most reliable alternative for reaching I-70 westbound. For those using public transit, COTA’s recent January schedule adjustments are now in full effect for several lines, including CMAX and Line 102, so be sure to verify your departure times before heading to your stop.