Winter Weather Advisory: Snow and High Winds to Impact Friday Commute; Major Highway Restrictions Continue
Morning Snow and Arctic Winds Disrupt Travel
Columbus commuters are facing a challenging Friday as a quick-moving winter weather system sweeps through Central Ohio this morning, February 6, 2026. National weather authorities have issued a Winter Weather Advisory, predicting a dusting to two inches of snow across the region. While the morning accumulation may be light, the primary concern for the afternoon and evening commute is the arrival of an arctic air mass. Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 40 mph, potentially creating dangerous whiteout conditions and reducing visibility on major arteries like I-71 and I-270.
Major Highway Construction and Lane Restrictions
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) continues its extensive 'Downtown Ramp Up' project, which remains a primary source of congestion in the city center. Commuters should take note of the following ongoing impacts:
- I-70/I-71 Interchange: Construction on Phase 4R and 6R continues through the downtown corridor. The I-70 East exit to Front Street remains permanently closed. Drivers heading to the courthouse or the southern downtown district are advised to use the Livingston Avenue detour.
- I-270 Southeast: Overnight resurfacing between I-70 and Alum Creek Drive may result in lingering lane restrictions during the early morning hours.
- I-70 Westside: Resurfacing between the Madison County line and Hilliard-Rome Road is currently active, with crews working to maintain the pavement through the winter months.
- US 33: While work near Plain City and Dublin is nearing completion, occasional lane shifts are still in place as crews finalize infrastructure improvements.
COTA Public Transit Alerts
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has announced several service reroutes and stop closures effective today. Most notably, Line 1 (Short Turn) is currently being diverted due to construction at Riverside Hospital. This reroute began earlier this week and is expected to last through March 2, 2026; stop SID 6364 is currently out of service.
Other significant transit impacts include:
- Line 75: Ongoing reroutes and stop closures near Tremont Road and Northam Road are in effect. Riders should use the temporary stop at Northam and Tremont.
- Line 24: Bay 3 at the Easton Transit Center is temporarily closed; passengers should check bus headers to confirm boarding locations.
- Line 35: The stop at Morse Road and Westerville Road (SID 7770) remains closed through the summer.
Commuters are reminded to adhere to the Move Over law, especially with maintenance crews and emergency vehicles active during snowy conditions. Slow down and allow extra following distance as temperatures drop and icy spots form during the evening freeze.