David Smith'sColumbus Roads
David Smith'sAbout the SiteThis website is focused on the roads of the Columbus area. If you have to ask, I'm talking about the one in Ohio. Most of what is found here will probably focus on Franklin County, but stuff from the surrounding counties of Madison, Union, Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, and Pickaway may be included. Much of what is found here will likely be about freeways, but there will certainly be exceptions. While I must admit I have on occasion been annoyed that someone else got something in Columbus covered before I did, or got it online faster, I do not intend to use this website to compete. I hope to complement and supplement the existing roadgeek sites out there, by posting my local content here first, before it is included in an update on a larger site. In addition, I hope to fill one or two niches of my own, which are best covered on a local scale. And maybe I hope to reduce the usage of the nickname "C-bus," but I doubt launching a new website will help me much there. |
Lancaster Bypass |
Updated: November 22, 2004 |
| More info: ODOT Project Page |
The new US-33 Bypass has opened from Carroll to US-22 in Fairfield County, OH. The segment from Carroll to OH-188 was completed several months ago, but remained closed until the next segment was completed and opened today. The segment from OH-188 to US-22 was originally proposed to be completed in June 2004, but a very wet fall in '03 added considerable delays.
Polaris Expansion |
Updated: November 22, 2004 |
| More info: ODOT District 6 |
The new Gemini Parkway expansion of the Polaris Parkway (OH-750) interchange on I-71 is underway. All lanes are open, but shifted over, so the left lane runs in the inside shoulder.
Northeast Expressway Transformation |
Updated: October 12, 2004 |
| More info: NExT Site |
The 3-year project at I-270 / OH-161 / Sunbury Rd has begun. The I-270 / OH-161 cloverleaf will see 3 of its loops replaced by two overlapping flyovers (SB-EB and NB-WB) and one flyunder (WB-SB); the EB-NB loop will remain. Varous temporary ramp closures have been in effect, and the WB-SB loop has been closed permanently. A temporary left-turn (with signal) is in place for that movement. The OH-161 / Sunbury Rd interchange will become a modified SPUI. OH-161 traffic to and from I-270 will have its own lanes alongside of OH-161 from the I-270 interchange to east of Sunbury Rd. Personally, I would like to know if there are any plans to remove the grade-level crossing at OH-161 / Buenos Aires Blvd / Strawberry Farms Blvd.
Med Center Ramps |
Updated: October 12, 2004 |
| More info: Paving The Way |
The new OH-315 ramps for the OSU Medical Center are complete! The northbound exit (control text: "Medical Center Dr, King Ave.") and the southbound entrance are open.
Springfield Bottleneck |
Updated: November 22, 2004 |
| More info: ODOT District 6 |
The I-70 reconstruction and widening project between OH-54 and US-42 is in full swing. When complete, only a relatively-short section of I-70 near Springfield will remain 2 lanes in each direction.
The Split |
Updated: October 12, 2004 |
| More info: 70-71 Study Site |
The OH-104 re-route proposal was at first dismissed because not enough traffic would take the new route. Resurrected, the idea was modified to remove sections of I-70, forcing through traffic to use the new alignment. We all knew this would be a bad idea, but it took ODOT some time to go from "this is probably a bad idea" to "here's conclusive evidence that this is a bad idea". Cutting off freeway access to 3 hospitals, and tempting 150,000 daily commuters to use surface streets, the re-routing proposal just didn't make sense. Again the concept is practically off the table, though I would hope that reconfiguring OH-104 at I-71 and US-33 is still under consideration; see "My Two Cents."
Last month it became clear that ODOT is going to leave the split where it is, but hopefully improve the corridor in more ways than one. Allowing a cap to be added in the future has been proposed. While ODOT can't afford to put a cap on the highway to support parkland immediately with the freeway reconstruction, it is quite possible that the foundations for future installment of a cap may be included. Apparently that's what they did for Fort Washington Way down in Cincinnati, though a cap has not yet been installed there.
Click here for details on ODOT's various alternatives relating to downtown access!
Sources: Paving The Way, The Columbus Dispatch, OSU Traffic & Parking, WCMH TV News, personal observation
Photos I have taken throughout the 7-County Region, and have not yet found a home on a larger road photo website. Click the heading above or here to enter.
I'm currently working on improving the format of the lane diagrams that I have. Also a basic exit guide for each diagram, and commentary on signage that's insufficient, reduntant, or just plain wrong. Click the heading above or here to enter. Organization and completeness of this section will improve with time.
Learn how to talk like a local yokel, rather than embarass yourself by making it obvious you're from out of town. Click the heading above or here to enter.
My ideas for improvements around the city, the state, and the nation. Click the heading above or here to enter.
This one should be self-explanatory. Click the heading above or here to enter.
This
page is copyright © 2004-05 David Smith. Content is provided for
informational purposes. Although I do my best, information provided here is not garanteed to be complete, correct, or up-to-date. To seek permission to reproduce content found here, or to report errors, e-mail me at
vidthekid@gmail.com.