Winter Recovery and Downtown Ramp-Up Projects Slow Thursday Commute

Morning Commute Overview

Commuters in Columbus face a challenging drive this Thursday, January 29, 2026, as the city continues to recover from the significant snowfall and arctic temperatures that triggered earlier snow emergencies. While Franklin County has downgraded its emergency status, residential side streets and highway ramps remain slick with black ice. Major arteries like I-270 and SR-315 are seeing typical heavy volume, but the most significant delays are concentrated in the downtown core where multi-year infrastructure projects remain in full swing.

I-70/I-71 Downtown Ramp-Up and High Street Closure

The massive I-70/I-71 Downtown Ramp-Up project continues to be the primary source of congestion for those entering the city center. Following the reopening of the Front Street bridge late last year, work has shifted heavily to the High Street bridge, which remains closed for total reconstruction. Motorists should expect significant lane shifts on I-70 between Front Street and Grant Avenue as crews continue Phase 4R and 6R operations. This work, scheduled to continue through the fall of 2026, involves adding through-lanes and improving pedestrian-friendly bridge structures. Drivers are advised to use the recently opened flyover ramp from I-70 westbound to I-71 southbound to avoid traditional bottlenecking at the split.

Local Roadworks: Trabue Road and North Side Congestion

Outside of the downtown area, commuters on the city’s northwest side should plan for extra time on Trabue Road. The bridge rehabilitation project over the Scioto River has reduced traffic to one lane in each direction. This two-lane configuration is expected to remain in place through October 2026, causing persistent backups during the morning peak. Additionally, while the widening of Cleveland Avenue between Huy Road and Cooke Road is nearing completion, minor finish work may still cause intermittent lane closures and delays for those traveling toward the Northland area.

COTA Service Changes and Public Transit

For those opting for public transit, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) implemented its first major service changes of 2026 this past Monday. Key updates include Line 22 and Line 24, which now both serve the Mobility Center at Rickenbacker (MCAR), providing improved access for workers in the southern industrial corridor. Line 71 has also added an extra morning trip to better accommodate commuters from Hilliard. Riders are encouraged to use the 'Tap to Pay' system, now available across all fixed-route buses, to minimize boarding times and reduce exposure to the cold at bus stops.

Safety Reminder: Icy Conditions

With temperatures remaining well below freezing, the primary hazard this morning is the lingering ice from earlier in the week. ODOT crews are out treating the interstates, but bridge decks and overpasses remain susceptible to freezing. Allow at least double the standard following distance and avoid sudden braking when navigating the complex lane shifts in the 70/71 construction zones.