Winter Potholes and Major Ramp Closures Slow Morning Commute in Columbus

Morning Commute Overview

Good morning, Columbus. As we settle into Wednesday, February 4, 2026, commuters should prepare for a mix of lingering winter road hazards and major ongoing infrastructure projects. While the city continues to recover from the significant snowfall brought by Winter Storm Fern late last month, the primary obstacles this morning are the long-term lane restrictions in the downtown corridor and several key bridge rehabilitations.

Major Highway Impacts: I-70/I-71 Downtown Ramp Up

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) continues its extensive 'Downtown Ramp Up' project, which remains the most significant factor for those heading into the city center. Expect the following impacts today:

• I-70/I-71 Lane Restrictions: Continuous lane narrowing is in effect through the downtown split as crews work on Phase 4R/6R. This phase focuses on widening the roadway and replacing bridges over the interstate.
• Front Street Closure: The Front Street bridge over I-70 remains closed for total replacement. Commuters should continue using the posted detours via High Street or Fourth Street.
• Fulton and Mound Streets: Significant permanent changes to the ramp patterns at Fulton and Mound Streets are in effect. Drivers should follow the new collector-distributor lanes to access the southern downtown districts.

Local Arterial Roadworks

Outside of the downtown core, several major surface streets are experiencing significant restrictions:

• Trabue Road: The bridge over the Scioto River is currently reduced from four lanes to just two. This two-way traffic pattern is expected to cause significant backups during peak morning hours for those traveling from the west side.
• 17th Avenue: Near the Ohio Expo Center, 17th Avenue remains closed between Clara and Dora Avenues for the Expo 2050 construction initiative. Motorists are advised to use 11th Avenue or Hudson Street as alternatives.
• Pothole Alerts: Following the record snowfall in late January, the Department of Public Service is reporting an increase in pavement damage on high-traffic routes including SR-315 and I-270. Drive with caution to avoid vehicle damage.

COTA Public Transit Alerts

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is operating on its regular weekday schedule, but several active reroutes are in effect:

• Line 1 (Short Turn): Due to construction at Riverside Hospital, Line 1 is currently being rerouted through March 2. Stop SID 6364 is closed.
• Easton Transit Center: Bay 3 remains closed through March 4. Line 24 passengers should confirm their boarding bay via the transit app or by checking bus headers.
• Line 6 Frequency: Commuters on Sullivant Avenue can take advantage of the recently increased weekday frequency on Line 6, aimed at reducing wait times during the morning rush.

Commuters are encouraged to allow an extra 15 to 20 minutes for travel this morning to navigate both the orange barrels and the persistent winter road conditions.