AARoads Forum

Regional Boards => Great Lakes and Ohio Valley => Topic started by: vtk on September 15, 2011, 04:33:18 PM

Title: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 15, 2011, 04:33:18 PM
Here's a thread that should hopefully be around for a while.  This project aims to improve I-70 from Central Ave to Miller Ave, I-71 from Greenlawn Ave to I-670, and I-670 EB from Cleveland Ave to Joyce Ave, most notably including the I-70/71 overlap on the South Innerbelt. 

Columbus Crossroads main project website: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/Pages/default.aspx (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/Pages/default.aspx) (page layout a bit broken -- look for a horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the content area...)
First phase (I-71 & I-670) website: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/71670/Pages/default.aspx (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/71670/Pages/default.aspx)
Columbus Dispatch article about start of construction and a nickname: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/09/15/road-project-name-now-up-to-voters.html (http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/09/15/road-project-name-now-up-to-voters.html) (I actually don't quite like any of the finalist nicknames...)

I'll try to post more information as I catch it.  When I have time, I'll also try to come up with some roadgeeky illustrations derived from the various documents I've downloaded.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 15, 2011, 04:54:37 PM
Rendering of reconfigured I-71/670 interchange, from project website:
(http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/71670/8911%20Public%20Meeting%20Files/I71-I670%20Interchange%20Improvements%20-%20North%20view%208-2011%20web%20version.jpg)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Revive 755 on September 15, 2011, 10:12:07 PM
So WB I-670 is getting shifted south to follow the EB lanes?

I don't know about the proposed design; it just seems that it would be better to try to relocate EB I-670 northward to follow the WB lanes and try and then either try for a stack interchange, or downgrade the current EB lanes to provide for EB to SB and NB to WB movements.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on September 15, 2011, 11:01:33 PM
So WB I-670 is getting shifted south to follow the EB lanes?

I don't know about the proposed design; it just seems that it would be better to try to relocate EB I-670 northward to follow the WB lanes and try and then either try for a stack interchange, or downgrade the current EB lanes to provide for EB to SB and NB to WB movements.

There's a couple a things askew with that image. There is no connection between I-71 NB to I-670 WB. On top of that, the "proposed" WB 670 just runs over the existing 71 NB to 670 WB connector (that somehow doesn't connect to 71 NB). The ramps from I-71 SB (and I-670 WB) to Leonard Ave/Cleveland Ave (Ft. Hayes) have disapeared too
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: thenetwork on September 16, 2011, 01:49:47 AM
Here is my question:  What is so bad about the current I-71/I-670 interchanges that they have to pour a quarter of a billion dollars to re-build it? 


I can name at least a half-dozen other major freeway interchanges in the state, plus about two dozen non-interchange improvement projects on freeways that are far more deserving (and older) than this one!


But I guess the folks at ODOT really want to spruce up the gateway to the misspending of Ohio tax dollars.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on September 16, 2011, 03:51:09 AM
It's my understanding that they are upgrading this end so that when the *real* work starts (70/71) this will be the alternate...almost sounded like the split would be closed.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 16, 2011, 07:11:43 PM
So WB I-670 is getting shifted south to follow the EB lanes?

Actually the opposite, but only temporarily.  In the final design as shown in the graphic, WB I-670 stays where it is, EB I-670 gets shifted slightly north overflying the ramps to/from Jack Gibbs Blvd (& Cleveland Ave), and the bridge occupying essentially the same space as current I-670 EB is a combination of I-670EB > I-71NB + Cleveland Ave > I-670EB.  That's not the current I-670 EB bridge, which cannot be retained due to its pier locations and the reconfiguring of I-71 below it. 

The changes to I-670 EB are a correction to a flawed design from the 1990s, and are probably only justified because the reconfiguration of I-71 requires replacing that I-670 EB bridge anyway.

There's a couple a things askew with that image. There is no connection between I-71 NB to I-670 WB. On top of that, the "proposed" WB 670 just runs over the existing 71 NB to 670 WB connector (that somehow doesn't connect to 71 NB). The ramps from I-71 SB (and I-670 WB) to Leonard Ave/Cleveland Ave (Ft. Hayes) have disapeared too

The only thing "wrong" with that image is it needs some annotation.  (I'll try to do that soon.)  What you interpret as the proposed WB 670 is actually the new EB 670 as explained above in this post.  The connections between the North Innerbelt and East Innerbelt aren't well-portrayed in this image; if you could pan down, you'd see some braiding.  Finally, the ramp from SB I-71 to Cleveland Ave via Jack Gibbs Blvd is indeed gone, but the corresponding exit from I-670 WB is still there.

Here is my question:  What is so bad about the current I-71/I-670 interchanges that they have to pour a quarter of a billion dollars to re-build it?

This project isn't really about the I-71/670 junction.  It's about reconfiguring and modernizing I-71, with some improvements to I-670 as a "while we're at it, we might as well..." kind of deal.  As additional projects kick in over the next several years, the downtown portions of I-70 and I-71 will be drastically reconfigured, modernized, and made more safe.  As another "while we're at it" deal, neighborhoods will be reconnected and the corridor will be beautified.

It's my understanding that they are upgrading this end so that when the *real* work starts (70/71) this will be the alternate...almost sounded like the split would be closed.

Actually, at least for EB traffic, the current 71/670 interchange would work better as an alternate to I-70 than the reconfigured one.  I think when they get to the nitty gritty of the South Innerbelt, through traffic will probably be maintained as two lanes each way and no exits.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on September 17, 2011, 12:32:28 PM
This (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/environmental/Documents/Appendix%20H/Technical%20Reports/77369_ESA%20Phase%20I_0208.pdf) kinda shows what's going on (skip to page 121.)  You can see the braiding mentioned as well as the new exits from 71.  Actually you can see the whole project if you scroll down lol.  It does appear the exit from WB 670 to NB 71 will stay as is.

So WB I-670 is getting shifted south to follow the EB lanes?

I don't know about the proposed design; it just seems that it would be better to try to relocate EB I-670 northward to follow the WB lanes and try and then either try for a stack interchange, or downgrade the current EB lanes to provide for EB to SB and NB to WB movements.

The entire project is surrounded by historic properties.  The thing in the middle is Ft. Hayes which from what I can tell can't have a pebble disturbed.  I'd imagine there just isn't room to do a northward shift.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 17, 2011, 12:44:19 PM
Here's my annotated version of that pictorial rendering:
(http://vidthekid.info/misc/fthayes-anno.png)

It does appear the exit from WB 670 to NB 71 will stay as is.

Technically, it will be moved about 50 feet southward of the current I-670 EB lanes, and more noticeably, it will become a right-side exit.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on September 17, 2011, 04:44:02 PM
Technically, it will be moved about 50 feet southward of the current I-670 EB lanes, and more noticeably, it will become a right-side exit.

Isn't it right side now?  At any rate, do you have any maps or drawings showing the finished project?  I was bouncing around ODOT's site today and either I'm dumb or there is just too much bullshit and malarkey to wade through...I just can't seem to find anything showing the completed design.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 17, 2011, 05:17:02 PM
Technically, it will be moved about 50 feet southward of the current I-670 EB lanes, and more noticeably, it will become a right-side exit.

Isn't it right side now?  At any rate, do you have any maps or drawings showing the finished project?  I was bouncing around ODOT's site today and either I'm dumb or there is just too much bullshit and malarkey to wade through...I just can't seem to find anything showing the completed design.

Currently, on EB I-670 past Third and Fourth Streets, the left three lanes are all EXIT ONLY for I-71 SB, Broad St, and I-71 NB.  That's the I-670 design flaw I mentioned upthread which will be corrected by this project.  As far as complete designs, I don't have anything concise enough to just throw up on the forum in 2 minutes.  Actually, I can't seem to find a specific set of plans I thought I downloaded some time ago.  But I do intend to prepare more illustrations for this forum thread representing the information I have.  That includes first-stage (temporary) configuration for the first project, configuration on completion of the first project, and configuration on completion of all Innerbelt projects as currently designed.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on September 18, 2011, 12:03:55 AM
Technically, it will be moved about 50 feet southward of the current I-670 EB lanes, and more noticeably, it will become a right-side exit.

Isn't it right side now?  At any rate, do you have any maps or drawings showing the finished project?  I was bouncing around ODOT's site today and either I'm dumb or there is just too much bullshit and malarkey to wade through...I just can't seem to find anything showing the completed design.

Currently, on EB I-670 past Third and Fourth Streets,

I was asking about 670 WB, but that was based on my not being able to read Hot Rod's post correctly. :pan:  As for plans, I have what I consider to be a fantastic rendering of things, but only for 70/71 (http://bishopdan.com/images/Mound_Fulton 6-2010 web.pdf) and 71 north of 70 (http://bishopdan.com/images/ScrollPlotsHiRes.pdf).  I saw the same type of rendering for the west side and the 670 junction but didn't save it for some reason (and I have no idea where I found them.)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on September 23, 2011, 09:35:17 PM
ODOT twittered a link to the ODOT facebook page (and Jesus Christ my cat is going to be involved with social media next) but they put up before (L) and after (R) photos.  Of course they weren't the same size so I did a half assed job at matching them :cool:  Pretty sure you can click to make it bigger, I suck at flickr.  I know the after photos are posted above, I thought it was nice to see a side by side.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6176812590_6f3892e8d2_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/six-a/6176812590/)
71-670 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/six-a/6176812590/) by halah1.geo (http://www.flickr.com/people/six-a/), on Flickr
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 24, 2011, 09:50:37 PM
Here's my rendition of what Phase 1 of Project 1 is going to look like, based on the flyer on the project website about ramp closings:
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/fthayesph1sm.jpg)
Click for much larger version (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/fthayesph1.png)

Seriously, click to see the much larger version, as it shows much more than what can be shown directly in the forum.

Most notable:
* A whole lot of service ramps are closed.
* The system ramps from I-670 EB to I-71 SB and I-71 NB to I-670 WB ("through" on the Innerbelt) are closed.  These ramps will probably close early in the project, because of the dependencies outlined below.
* There's a "temporary" ramp from WB I-670 to Spring St, probably to make up for the closing of the Third St exit. I put "temporary" in quotes because it looks a lot like the eventual Lester Dr exit which will terminate at Spring St, but then again I had to guess at the actual geometry of this ramp.  I suspect construction of this temporary ramp won't begin until the Innerbelt through ramps are closed.
* EB I-670 is temporarily routed around the north side of Fort Hayes.  This probably won't happen until the "temporary" I-670 WB to Spring St ramp is open.
* The Neil Ave ramp to EB I-670 is immediately shunted to the exit to Fourth St (which terminates at Goodale St / Civic Center Dr), which cannot be accessed from EB I-670.  Essentially, this makes half of a split-diamond between EB I-670 and Neil Ave / Civic Center Dr.

I'm still not sure exactly when all this is going to start, but it should be fairly soon.  Obviously most of this phase will involve tearing things out, but I had expected more temporary pavement would somehow be involved.  If I'm right about that "temporary" ramp to Spring St, it will be interesting to watch construction of the first new pavement of the finished design take shape.

Edit 2011-10-06: updated map with observed I-71SB lane configuration, re-uploaded at more reasonable size, changed preview image
2011-11-16: updated map again, hopefully now shows all details correctly for phase 1
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on September 26, 2011, 03:21:45 AM
* There's a "temporary" ramp from WB I-670 to Spring St, probably to make up for the closing of the Third St exit. I put "temporary" in quotes because it looks a lot like the eventual Lester Dr exit which will terminate at Spring St, but then again I had to guess at the actual geometry of this ramp.  I suspect construction of this temporary ramp won't begin until the Innerbelt through ramps are closed.

I recall seeing something somewhere...possibly in the Dispatch that said basically what you're thinking.  They phrased it as something like "a temporary ramp to Spring that will be made permanent in the future."  The way they put it didn't make sense when I read it but now that you mentioned it that's most likely exactly what's happening.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 26, 2011, 05:43:08 AM
* There's a "temporary" ramp from WB I-670 to Spring St, probably to make up for the closing of the Third St exit. I put "temporary" in quotes because it looks a lot like the eventual Lester Dr exit which will terminate at Spring St, but then again I had to guess at the actual geometry of this ramp.  I suspect construction of this temporary ramp won't begin until the Innerbelt through ramps are closed.

I recall seeing something somewhere...possibly in the Dispatch that said basically what you're thinking.  They phrased it as something like "a temporary ramp to Spring that will be made permanent in the future."  The way they put it didn't make sense when I read it but now that you mentioned it that's most likely exactly what's happening.

When I compare my phase 1 rendering (or the flyer upon which it was based) with the final design, there's a discrepancy in the topology and lane counts.  The bridge over the Innerbelt through ramps and south to Spring St probably will become part of the final Lester Dr exit; what's temporary is north of that bridge, specifically how I-670 feeds into it and I-71 doesn't.  Also, the configuration of the intersection at Spring St will certainly be different from the final design, though if done right this difference could amount to simply a final course of asphalt and restriping (plus signals and other traffic control devices, of course).
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on September 26, 2011, 08:49:06 PM
You sure there is to be no access to the Mt. Vernon neighborhood? No access to Leonard Ave or even a left turn onto Spring St from I-71?  :hmmm:
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 26, 2011, 11:41:06 PM
You sure there is to be no access to the Mt. Vernon neighborhood? No access to Leonard Ave or even a left turn onto Spring St from I-71?  :hmmm:

I-71's NB exit to Leonard Ave and SB exits to Jack Gibbs Blvd and Spring St will definitely be closed in this phase of the project, according to the project website. 

The new Spring St ramp could theoretically allow left turns, but considering it's temporarily a ramp from only WB I-670, I don't think the demand for that turn would justify the extra conflict point in a construction zone. Of course, that's only my opinion and hunch – CH2M Hill and Kokosing may disagree with me and build that left turn after all.  The information available to me on this subject isn't terribly detailed.

By the way, construction starts this week (http://www.pavingtheway.org/i-670/).
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 27, 2011, 03:07:29 PM
I just found an earlier Dispatch article with some of the other suggestions for a project nickname: Roadwork Marked by Barrel of Laughs (http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/08/18/roadwork-marked-by-barrel-of-laughs.html).  By the way, they apparently went with "Crawlumbus".

It looks like continuing updates can be found at the Dispatch's Crawlumbus blog (http://www.dispatch.com/content/topic/special-reports/downtown-traffic-project.html).
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on October 02, 2011, 10:28:04 PM
Coverage on this is spotty, as it's a relatively minor change, but News Center 28 has just about cinfirmed what I've suspected for a few days now.  The lane configuration on SB I-71 coming into the Fort Hayes interchange will be adjusted.

At 5th Ave, previous configuration, left to right:
- Spring St LEFT EXIT ONLY
- I-71 South
- I-71 South or I-670 East
- I-670 West EXIT ONLY
New configuration:
- I-71 South
- I-71 South
- I-670 East EXIT ONLY
- I-670 West EXIT ONLY

This change should be complete by Wednesday morning.  It's pretty close to the final configuration too – I'll have to check my docs to see where the Lester Dr exit will fit in.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on October 06, 2011, 01:23:45 PM
Alright, here I've pieced together what the Fort Hayes Interchange will look like when Project 1 is completed, including the temporary transition to the existing East Innerbelt:
(http://vidthekid.info/misc/fthayesdonesm.jpg)
Click for larger version (http://vidthekid.info/misc/fthayesdone.jpg)

What I find interesting is that, on NB I-71 approaching Broad St, the lanes for I-71 NB and I-670 WB will be swapped – without any change to the roadway itself there or upstream.  Of course, barring some kind of funding disaster, there will be some work going on in the East Split Interchange by the time this swap occurs.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on October 07, 2011, 10:14:24 PM


(http://bishopdan.com/images/fthayes2.jpg)

I had a long post typed up because I couldn't figure out why there would be two sections of EB traffic and it hit me right before I hit post (exits to 71 :pan:) so I'll just leave my crappy pic here as a monument to my thick skull.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on October 07, 2011, 11:33:52 PM


(http://bishopdan.com/images/fthayes2.jpg)

I had a long post typed up because I couldn't figure out why there would be two sections of EB traffic and it hit me right before I hit post (exits to 71 :pan:) so I'll just leave my crappy pic here as a monument to my thick skull.

I'm sure once it's built, even some drivers will mistake that for (or perhaps misuse it as) an additional I-670 EB lane.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on October 31, 2011, 11:38:56 PM
"First" official article of the "Crawl-lumbus" series in the C-bus Dispatch, from Sunday.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/10/30/welcome-crawlumbus.html (http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/10/30/welcome-crawlumbus.html)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on November 04, 2011, 05:49:35 PM
According to @ODOT_Columbus and @Crawlumbus tweets, I-670 WB will this weekend lose its exit to 3rd St, but gain its temporary exit to Spring St.  I haven't really had a chance to get a close look, but I don't think they've started building the bridge yet for the Lester Dr exit over the Innerbelt through ramps.  To me this means the 2-lane ramp from I-670 WB to I-71 SB will enter I-71 SB physically, but will be separated by either a double-white line or a physical barrier on the existing bridge over the Innerbelt through ramps; then the two right lanes will (right lane mandatory, left lane optionally) make a sudden rightward swerve to exit at Spring St.  I'll update my graphic as soon as I can observe the new pattern.

Edit: yeah, that's what they did.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on November 05, 2011, 08:28:26 PM
The "temp" exit is from I-670 WB to Spring St. using the shoulder of I-670 EB. Don't know how ODOT is planning to accomplish the crossover of the EB lanes.
(http://www.dispatch.com/content/graphics/2011/11/05/spring-street-reefer-art-gdmeouli-11105gfx-spring-st-map.jpg)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on November 05, 2011, 10:34:12 PM
^^ Yeah, that Dispatch graphic kind of sucks.

Here's the I-670 ramp to Spring St, highlighted in blue; forking from that are ramps to I-71 NB, Jack Gibbs Blvd, and I-71 SB, highlighted in orange:
(http://vidthekid.info/misc/tempspring.jpg)
I personally observed this today.  I was disappointed that the temporary ramp doesn't incorporate as much of the eventual Lester Dr exit as I'd previously predicted.

Here's the I-670 EB crossover, as observed:
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/670shift.jpg)
Edit: lane counts and alignments corrected based on observations.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on November 06, 2011, 10:52:57 PM
I had to go to Grandview this afternoon, so I took the scenic route and followed I-71 all the way to I-70, then looped back north on 315.
So, yes, I-670 westbound gets first dibs on access to the "temp exit ramp" to Spring Street, WB.
Looks like the exit from I-71 SB to Leonard Ave/Ft. Hayes is staying around  :clap: (unlike what the "official" ODOT 3-D map shows)
As to Vid's complaints of "ugly" signs along I-71 (SB); besides the Oh 40 shield that was photographed earlier, the only other roadsign that looked "funny" was a brown tourist destination sign that had an oversized orange tab redirecting drivers to the Broad Street exit instead of Spring Street.
No hand drawn shields, no funky fonts, nothing ugly in my opinion.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on November 06, 2011, 11:22:31 PM
Looks like the exit from I-71 SB to Leonard Ave/Ft. Hayes is staying around  :clap: (unlike what the "official" ODOT 3-D map shows)

Quote from: ODOT
Permanent closure begins late October [or] early November 2011

That ramp has to go; it's in the way of the eventual ramp from I-670 WB to Jack Gibbs Blvd and Lester Dr.  Where it splits from mainline I-71 is where the eventual Lester Dr exit is going to branch off.  I'm really not sure how they're going to get there from the way it's set up now, but I guess that's why the project has multiple phases.  Hopefully, we'll have as much information about the next phases as we do about phase 1.

I suppose that Jack Gibbs Blvd ramp is convenient if you're trying to get to Fort Hayes, but more generally it's rather unnecessary; just exit at 5th Ave and go west to Cleveland Ave or east to St Clair Ave.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on November 06, 2011, 11:32:40 PM
Looks like the exit from I-71 SB to Leonard Ave/Ft. Hayes is staying around  :clap: (unlike what the "official" ODOT 3-D map shows)

Quote from: ODOT
Permanent closure begins late October [or] early November 2011

That ramp has to go; it's in the way of the eventual ramp from I-670 WB to Jack Gibbs Blvd and Lester Dr.  Where it splits from mainline I-71 is where the eventual Lester Dr exit is going to branch off.  I'm really not sure how they're going to get there from the way it's set up now, but I guess that's why the project has multiple phases.  Hopefully, we'll have as much information about the next phases as we do about phase 1.

I don't care about quanity. I want quality.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on November 08, 2011, 05:00:34 AM
Just something I noticed tonight with media coverage and terminology…

Columbus Crossroads is divided into 6 different projects, each covering a different freeway segment or interchange.  Each of these projects is divided into multiple phases, as necessary to perform the work without shutting down the freeway entirely.  The media sometimes refers to phases when they actually mean projects.  Currently, phase 1 of project 1 is getting started.

As far as quality vs quantity, a greater quantity of available information allows me to make better quality illustrations for the roadgeeks here, and identify graphics of poor quality, such as that Dispatch map illustrating the Spring St ramp in an implausible location.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on November 14, 2011, 10:22:22 PM
The crossover happened yesterday, and ODOT has tweeted that the Cleveland Ave to I-670 EB ramp will close tomorrow night.  That just leaves (IIRC) the closure of the I-71 to Leonard Ave ramp, and then the entire phase 1 traffic pattern will be in effect.

So as it turns out, the crossover is slightly different from how I drew it in my phase 1 diagram.  I'll redraw it when I get a chance, but like the other corrections I've made, it's only a minor change.

Edit – New video:
Let's Drive Crawlumbus #1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsD7u0ioyHM) featuring I-670's temporary crossover configuration, as well as some poorly-aligned EXIT ONLY signs and a brief slowdown caused by drivers that didn't get the message…
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on January 07, 2012, 12:00:02 AM
Upcoming public meeting, jan 19:
[constantcontact.com url with ridiculously long query string] (http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=bdupm5cab&v=001ZxTRMtTNNkgFrGYm1GDA0joTu1ARaUgmo3G4SnoQ1pm2uBJxR3l0y118LrRzwiJtKOF44Q2Nb9huPiJEuj1Zfu0uqevFBhk3jbUvdtTPaWKuj52Vpv95DbFg65Y9Ic8DWM5FWpWyOQhYy9y6c6FlfKgIbSduMMP_qSG4aZCYYrz5uQnmvSDxdj5cnEhq0MIT5_LedGrVCRq8QK80BinZstk_iOTLH2e-lZJRX0gyAK8cRmiZdzybI_CkJD0qDGS4xh71kXJuMhgip3leJu1TIY7WdLiq8G4Fcc4rIMp7Z83Sppo6R1J9FQ%3D%3D)

The subject appears to be projects 2 and 3, specifically the (superficial) design of the new CD roads, and the bridges over the East Innerbelt.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Stephane Dumas on January 07, 2012, 09:52:45 AM
A bit off-topic, but I spotted this video of Columbus growth 1912-2011, we see how the highway network progressed.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on January 07, 2012, 11:35:06 PM
A bit off-topic, but I spotted this video of Columbus growth 1912-2011, we see how the highway network progressed.

Vidthekid (look above your post) put that animation together.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on January 15, 2012, 10:00:41 PM
Just when MORPC is starting to talk about spending on future highway projects, ODOT is threatening to cut back on spending.
I suspect the western part of the I-70/71 rebuild (i.e. "The west split" with 315) will be mothballed for a considerable amount of time.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/01/14/money-woes-may-gum-up-highway-projects.html
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on January 15, 2012, 10:45:59 PM
That's what I've been afraid of since they classified those parts Tier II, pushing the work back to at least the next funding cycle. More specifically, I'm afraid of what the South Innerbelt will look like in its half-upgraded "temporary" configuration.  ODOT has touted "walk-away phasing", but I'm still concerned about iffy transitional alignments, lane drops, and a WB/SB weave as bad a the current EB/NB weave.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on January 16, 2012, 01:05:10 PM
That's what I've been afraid of since they classified those parts Tier II, pushing the work back to at least the next funding cycle. More specifically, I'm afraid of what the South Innerbelt will look like in its half-upgraded "temporary" configuration.  ODOT has touted "walk-away phasing", but I'm still concerned about iffy transitional alignments, lane drops, and a WB/SB weave as bad a the current EB/NB weave.
Theres the possiblilty that this will make Spring-Sandusky's time frame look like an egg timer.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on January 17, 2012, 05:22:44 PM
That's what I've been afraid of since they classified those parts Tier II, pushing the work back to at least the next funding cycle. More specifically, I'm afraid of what the South Innerbelt will look like in its half-upgraded "temporary" configuration.  ODOT has touted "walk-away phasing", but I'm still concerned about iffy transitional alignments, lane drops, and a WB/SB weave as bad a the current EB/NB weave.
Theres the possiblilty that this will make Spring-Sandusky's time frame look like an egg timer.

2025. (http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/01/17/ODOT-pushes-back-phases-of-Downtown-reconstruction.html)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on January 17, 2012, 05:27:40 PM
So after the I-71/670 rebuild, nothing else on this project will be started on till 2025 now?!?  Is it too late for ODOT to stop construction now, rebuild the ramps and bridges to what they were before they started tearing stuff down in the fall and leave well enough alone till they're ready to do everything in one fell swoop?
This makes the Spring-Sandusky project (I-670/US 33/Oh 315) look like a high school term paper.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/01/17/ODOT-pushes-back-phases-of-Downtown-reconstruction.html



Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on January 17, 2012, 05:43:11 PM
Here's the pdf from ODOT listing their funded (and non-funded) projects for the next year (and beyond)
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/TRAC%20List/Recommended-DRAFT-TRAC-List-1-17-11.pdf
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: drrosenrosen on January 18, 2012, 09:23:48 AM
So after the I-71/670 rebuild, nothing else on this project will be started on till 2025 now?!?  Is it too late for ODOT to stop construction now, rebuild the ramps and bridges to what they were before they started tearing stuff down in the fall and leave well enough alone till they're ready to do everything in one fell swoop?
This makes the Spring-Sandusky project (I-670/US 33/Oh 315) look like a high school term paper.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/01/17/ODOT-pushes-back-phases-of-Downtown-reconstruction.html


This comes across to me as a total political move by Kasich's ODOT.  I can hear it now: "ODOT is out of money, and the only way to pay for these projects is a $5 billion lease from Macquarie-Cintra for the Turnpike".  Saying in 2012 that the government will do something in 2025 is laughably absurd... government doesn't work like that.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on January 18, 2012, 05:59:10 PM
The configuration at Project 1's completion, with no other work done, won't have any obvious problems that I can see, with a net positive change from what was before.  It's fully funded still, so there's no reason to turn back as Hot Rod suggested.  We can only hope the conservatives will lose their death grip soon, and needed infrastructure improvements will get the proper funding.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on January 19, 2012, 09:58:56 PM
I wonder if ODOT/MORPC had wished to have this evening's meeting last week (or do the TRAC project announcement next week).
The primary focus from this evening's presentation on the I-71/70 project was the aesthetics of the "new" bridges to built over I-71 between I-670 and I-70 (aka phase 3 of the entire rebuild). Wide sidewalks, planters, a bike lane and space set aside for a "cap," (Along Spring St) if enough commercial interest can be found (so far, no).
The "elephant in the room" was address first thing, that being ODOT putting off phase 2 and 3 of the I-71/70 project for 13 years due to lack of state funds. The speakers present gave the same response their boss, Jerry Wrey, gave everyone earlier in the week (too many projects promised and no raises in state or federal funding).
Questions from the audience basicly stayed to the following theme; have all the suggestions, demands, requests, and compromises we've made (since work on this started in 2002) be for naught due to financial and time restraints?
That and the transplant from South Carolina who started asking questions about the Ohio Turnpike while his neighbor lamented about streetsweepers out in the Arena District on a rainy night.  :pan: :banghead:
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on January 27, 2012, 05:09:57 AM
Photos

All of these were taken Wednesday evening (25 Jan 2012).  Click on any image to view full-size version (1.6—2.5MB).

from Spring Street, looking north:
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn3805-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn3805.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn3809-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn3809.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn3818-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn3818.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn3930-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn3930.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn3934-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn3934.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn3937-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn3937.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn4010-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn4010.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn4014-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-sn4014.jpg)

from Spring Street, looking south:
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4156-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4156.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4201-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4201.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4227-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4227.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4235-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4235.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4243-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4243.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4321-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4321.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4326-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ss4326.jpg)

from Long Street, looking north:
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ln5233-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ln5233.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ln5239-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ln5239.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ln5243-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ln5243.jpg)

from Long Street, looking south:
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls4853-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls4853.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls4932-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls4932.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls4935-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls4935.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls5048-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls5048.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls5052-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls5052.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls5129-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls5129.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls5133-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls5133.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls5145-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls5145.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls5149-sm.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-ls5149.jpg)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on April 10, 2012, 11:25:57 PM
Local TV station's update on the I-71/670 rebuild
http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2012/apr/10/odot-starts-the-2012-construction-season-ar-995289/
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on April 11, 2012, 03:16:08 PM
Local TV station's update on the I-71/670 rebuild
http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2012/apr/10/odot-starts-the-2012-construction-season-ar-995289/

All of the projects we can "expect this summer" according to that article have already been visibly progressing since last year.  The real news is found in Paving The Way's 2012 Glovebox Guide (apparently not released yet) and ODOT District 6's full project listing (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D06/2012Construction/Pages/default.aspx).
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on May 11, 2012, 07:17:49 PM
I've noticed a difference between ODOT's design from the IMS and what's actually being built, though it's minor. Where I-71 NB bridges over the ramp to I-670 WB, the original design shows a bridge with conventional abutments perpendicular to the length of the bridge.  What they're actually building is a high-skew bridge with abutments parallel to the roadway below.  I guess it's another cost-cutting measure in the design-build process.  I think the high-skew design will look cleaner when it's done, anyway.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on June 06, 2012, 11:00:59 PM
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/06/06/ODOT-panel-approves-road-project-delays.html (http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/06/06/ODOT-panel-approves-road-project-delays.html)
Part 2 (I-70/71 East split) will now start in 2020 instead of 2026 (or 2014)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on June 07, 2012, 10:29:19 PM
I hope that, in a few months when the schedule is revised again (hopefully reflecting safety and congestion issues) that related projects will be grouped closer together in time. I'd rather see I-70/71 completed in a timeframe like 2024—2029 than 2020—2035 or whatever they are currently saying it will be.

Or maybe Congress will come to its senses and pass a real highway bill, and they can start the next Crossroads project next year. (The odds of that happening are depressingly low…)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on July 14, 2012, 12:57:11 AM
I-71 Northbound is closed for the weekend through the project area.  I believe when it reopens, traffic will be on the new alignment, though the pavement isn't initially as wide as the final design specifies.  Also, I think they're going to take the opportunity to erect beams for the I-670 EB auxilliary flyover (entrance from Cleveland Ave / exit to I-71 NB).  I managed to be among the last few dozen cars to drive the old alignment of I-71 NB tonight.

Here's a photo dump from this evening:

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5747.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5747.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5748.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5748.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5749.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5749.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5750.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5750.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5751.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5751.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5752.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5752.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5753.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5753.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5754.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5754.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5760.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5760.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5761.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5761.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5762.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5762.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5763.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5763.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5764.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5764.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5765.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5765.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5766.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5766.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5767.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5767.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5768.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5768.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5769.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5769.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5770.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5770.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5771.jpg)  (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5771.jpg)(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5772.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5772.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5773.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5773.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5774.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5774.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5775.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5775.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5776.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5776.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5777.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5777.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5778.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5778.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5779.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5779.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5780.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5780.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5781.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5781.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5782.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5782.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5783.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5783.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5784.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5784.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5786.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5786.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5787.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5787.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5789.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5789.jpg)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: jwags on July 15, 2012, 01:04:36 AM
I'm going to be passing through this area next Sunday. I will be traveling e-w. would it be better to take the outerbelt?
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on July 15, 2012, 01:29:36 AM
I'm going to be passing through this area next Sunday. I will be traveling e-w. would it be better to take the outerbelt?

Current impacts to I-70 are minor.  I-270, on the other hand, is undergoing reconstruction from exit 2 to exit 10, and still constricts to 2 lanes each way across the Scioto around milepost 1.  Then again, it shouldn't be too congested on a Sunday. Unless there's an accident, I-70 will be the quickest way through.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on July 16, 2012, 12:28:28 AM
Went downtown to take some photos again this evening.  Shot a bit more than this, but to avoid tedium I'm only posting the shots of NB I-71 and some of the I-670 interchange.

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5799.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5799.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5806.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5806.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5815.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5815.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5825.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5825.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5827.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5827.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5832.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5832.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5836.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5836.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5842.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5842.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5843.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5843.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5845.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5845.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5849.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5849.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5850.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5850.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5854.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5854.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5856.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5856.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5857.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5857.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5865.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5865.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-p5867.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-5867.jpg)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on July 16, 2012, 07:31:14 PM
I-71 northbound, new alignment video:


Bonus: new 11th Ave bridge!
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on July 16, 2012, 11:49:38 PM
I'm going to be passing through this area next Sunday. I will be traveling e-w. would it be better to take the outerbelt?
I-70 should have no issues. This past weekend was actually the time that ramps from I-70E to 71 N were closed
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: jwags on July 17, 2012, 12:54:44 AM
What about coming back on Tuesday August 2nd?  Travelling E-W.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on July 17, 2012, 12:58:42 AM
What about coming back on Tuesday August 2nd?  Travelling E-W.
Rush hour, take 270 south. Non-peak hours stay on I-70
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on July 17, 2012, 07:47:20 PM
I have officially lost track of WTF is going on down there.  I assume all the earth moving that's happening on the south side of 70/71 near Children's Hospital has something to do with the project.  What that might be, I haven't a clue.  Prepping for a new bridge, maybe?

Also, I'll chime in re: traveling thru town.  I drive 270 in the west side construction zone every day - it's not too bad south of 70 unless there's a wreck.  Avoid 270 north of 70 if you can, though.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on July 18, 2012, 01:25:49 PM
I have officially lost track of WTF is going on down there.  I assume all the earth moving that's happening on the south side of 70/71 near Children's Hospital has something to do with the project.  What that might be, I haven't a clue.  Prepping for a new bridge, maybe?

They're building a retaining wall.  I presume it's preparation for the next project; the eventual footprint for the freeway will be a bit wider at that point.  As far as why they're doing that now and not in 2014 or 2020 or whenever, here's a guess: they needed to shift lanes over temporarily, and the current project already has the left lane closed, so they took the opportunity to do their work without further bottlenecking the South Innerbelt.  Other construction furniture between there and Broad St has been related to a "microtunnel" they're digging under the highway, for sewage or runoff drainage or something – possibly just overdue upgrades to the city's existing infrastructure, in yet another example of "while we're at it" syndrome.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: busman_49 on July 23, 2012, 07:38:54 PM
I have officially lost track of WTF is going on down there.  I assume all the earth moving that's happening on the south side of 70/71 near Children's Hospital has something to do with the project.  What that might be, I haven't a clue.  Prepping for a new bridge, maybe?

They're building a retaining wall.  I presume it's preparation for the next project; the eventual footprint for the freeway will be a bit wider at that point.  As far as why they're doing that now and not in 2014 or 2020 or whenever, here's a guess: they needed to shift lanes over temporarily, and the current project already has the left lane closed, so they took the opportunity to do their work without further bottlenecking the South Innerbelt.  Other construction furniture between there and Broad St has been related to a "microtunnel" they're digging under the highway, for sewage or runoff drainage or something – possibly just overdue upgrades to the city's existing infrastructure, in yet another example of "while we're at it" syndrome.

I believe that the retaining wall going up now has something to do with Columbus City Schools' impending project to rebuild Africentric (which may end up being moved to another portion of the city after all)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on July 24, 2012, 03:13:36 PM
I have officially lost track of WTF is going on down there.  I assume all the earth moving that's happening on the south side of 70/71 near Children's Hospital has something to do with the project.  What that might be, I haven't a clue.  Prepping for a new bridge, maybe?

They're building a retaining wall.  I presume it's preparation for the next project; the eventual footprint for the freeway will be a bit wider at that point.  As far as why they're doing that now and not in 2014 or 2020 or whenever, here's a guess: they needed to shift lanes over temporarily, and the current project already has the left lane closed, so they took the opportunity to do their work without further bottlenecking the South Innerbelt.  Other construction furniture between there and Broad St has been related to a "microtunnel" they're digging under the highway, for sewage or runoff drainage or something – possibly just overdue upgrades to the city's existing infrastructure, in yet another example of "while we're at it" syndrome.

I believe that the retaining wall going up now has something to do with Columbus City Schools' impending project to rebuild Africentric (which may end up being moved to another portion of the city after all)

It's definitely related to the 70/71 work, and not just a school improvement project.  I say this because I remember from the public meetings, they talked a bit about how the highway would require a partial property take from the Africentric School, and some athletic fields would have to be rearranged.  CCS may have taken that as an impetus to rebuild or move the Africentric School altogether, but whatever they do with that property will surely leave room for the eventual highway widening.  The new retaining wall reflects the future highway footprint.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: busman_49 on July 26, 2012, 09:22:14 PM
I didn't say it was just a school improvement project.  Sorry if I didn't explain myself better (I have a habit of doing that).  What I should have added is that I remember reading in the paper that ODOT was going to do that retaining wall now instead of on down the road because Columbus Schools wanted to rebuild Africentric in the relatively near future and having the retaining wall in place would have made it easier for the schools to do what they needed to do.  At least I think that was the general gist of it.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: silverback1065 on July 30, 2012, 12:24:40 PM
Why does i-670 do that weird split anyway?
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on July 30, 2012, 06:29:48 PM
Why does i-670 do that weird split anyway?

Short answer: it seemed like a good idea at the time, and now we're stuck with it.  I suspect Sandor G and/or Marc F have put up a well-researched page somewhere with more details.  Anyway, the original interchange was a run-of-the-mill 1950s-design tangled semi-directional T between the North Innerbelt, East Innerbelt, and North Freeway – all of which were I-71 at first – and some local streets.  Then in the 90s they built the Northeast Freeway. To better serve commuter traffic, the new freeway was designed to connect more directly with the 3rd/4th St one-way pair than with either leg of the Innerbelt.  Through movements on I-670 were expected to be (and still kind of are) low-volume movements, so they were designed more like ramps that exit the mainline.  Because of that and the historic status of the Fort Hayes complex, the eastbound and westbound lanes were split by more than half a mile.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 18, 2012, 04:49:16 PM
Dispatch reporting on progress:

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/09/18/1-year-later-crawlumbus-is-speeding-along.html (http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/09/18/1-year-later-crawlumbus-is-speeding-along.html)

I-670 should be back to normal and better than before by christmachanukwaanzivus.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 20, 2012, 08:02:04 PM
Another photo dump...
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6004.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6004.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6005.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6005.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6006.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6006.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6007.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6007.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6008.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6008.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6009.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6009.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6010.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6010.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6011.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6011.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6012.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6012.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6013.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6013.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6014.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6014.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6015.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6015.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6016.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6016.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6018.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6018.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6019.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6019.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-t6020.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-6020.jpg)

All of these were taken from the east side of I-71 from Long St to just north of Spring St, or from the Long St bridge.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 28, 2012, 02:08:38 AM
Portions of Project 3 (70/71 East Split Interchange) may begin next summer.  Funding has apparently been found for rebuilding the 18th St bridge over I-70, and (I think) a new bridge carrying the new exit ramp from I-70 WB to Mound St.  Full article: State Innovation, Efficiency Eliminates Delays for Five Major Projects (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/news/Pages/State-Innovation,-Efficiency-Eliminates-Delays-for-Five-Major-Projects.aspx).  That title neglects to also credit a slight boost in federal funds, and savings related to good weather.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 30, 2012, 01:02:08 PM
Columbus Underground often takes pictures of the highway project, too: http://www.columbusunderground.com/construction-roundup-september-2012-part-2 (http://www.columbusunderground.com/construction-roundup-september-2012-part-2)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on November 02, 2012, 06:15:08 PM
Major traffic switch for I-670 EB this weekend:

Second Verse Same as the First (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/71670/Pages/Traffic-Switch-and-Ramps-Opening-this-weekend.aspx)

Big chunk of I-670 closed over the weekend, from I-70 or OH 315 to I-71.  One lane will be open from I-70 to OH 315 NB, but I'm not sure if that will be the whole weekend or just Saturday afternoon.  On Monday, I-670 eastbound is actually going to look a lot like it did before construction started, because they are going to use the new "auxilliary" bridge as the temporary mainline.  There will again be a left-exit for I-71 NB, but only until they move the mainline to the permanent mainline bridge.  I don't know why they couldn't have finished the two I-670 bridges concurrently.  I can imagine the complaints now, as this will look a lot like they've taken a giant step backwards and accomplished nothing in the last year.  I know better, but the average motorist barely has a clue…
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on November 04, 2012, 12:41:03 PM
Weekend switch has been completed. 

Partial photo dump from yesterday:
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-p01.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-01.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-p02.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-02.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-p03.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-03.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-p04.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-04.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-p05.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-05.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-p06.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-06.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-p07.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/20121103-07.jpg)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Truvelo on November 08, 2012, 02:11:39 PM
I decided to do a few laps of the inner belt whilst in Columbus last Friday so here's some pictures looking from a vehicle. This was before the weekend switch so things may have changed. The last time I was in Columbus was November last year where I went straight through on I-70.

Of concern is the rust running down the side of the new overpass in the last picture. This and the overuse of fluorescent orange signs.

(http://www.speedcam.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/columbus1.jpg)

(http://www.speedcam.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/columbus2.jpg)

(http://www.speedcam.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/columbus3.jpg)

(http://www.speedcam.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/columbus4.jpg)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Central Avenue on November 13, 2012, 08:33:35 PM
Nothing big, but I was driving through this afternoon and I noticed that at least one of the silly-looking combination pull-through/exit signs, of all things, has gotten a carbon-copy Clearview replacement. I had expected that to be a quirk that was going away during the construction...

I didn't get a picture of the new one yet, but the old one looked like this:

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mVZU6DaII3c/UGhIexbdA4I/AAAAAAAAB7s/Xp-vr1Kqiqc/s800/DSCN4193.JPG)

As far as I can tell, the I-71 sign on the right hasn't been replaced at all.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on November 13, 2012, 08:40:53 PM
The exit signs for I-71 are certainly still orange-patched to note the temporary lane configuration, whereby 3 lanes exit for I-71 instead of just two.  Apparently that's gone back to normal, in conjunction with the reopening of the left exit to 3rd.  I didn't notice if the sign had been replaced, but I wouldn't expect that unless they change its message later.  In other places in this project, older (but not button copy) signs have been re-used in new locations; at least one is probably there permanently. 

I'm hoping this project will allow ODOT to fix the inconsistent exit numbers in the area; some of them are just about guaranteed to be fixed due to changed ramp topologies, but I fear some will remain – notably, how exits 4A and 4B are 3rd and 4th Streets, but which is which depends on the direction one is exiting from :-(
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: PurdueBill on November 13, 2012, 09:13:53 PM
Replacement of that all-in-one pull-through/exit advance, with button copy aplenty and the ultra-cool 2-digit 670 shield, should not be tolerated.  That stinks!

The right-hand sign is very Illinois with the full-width tab.  I know that's an artifact of the top lighting (which seems to be peculiar to Columbus; never seen many top-lighted signs in Ohio outside Columbus) but usually the top-lighted signs with exit tabs looked different than that.  Usually the space next to the tab was non-reflective material that was not part of the actual sign.  Not being button copy, this one was probably a one-off, but at least a neat one.

Stuff like this being Clearviewified makes my stomach turn.  Bleah......
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on November 13, 2012, 11:13:31 PM
The exit signs for I-71 are certainly still orange-patched to note the temporary lane configuration, whereby 3 lanes exit for I-71 instead of just two.

I'm hoping this project will allow ODOT to fix the inconsistent exit numbers in the area; some of them are just about guaranteed to be fixed due to changed ramp topologies, but I fear some will remain — notably, how exits 4A and 4B are 3rd and 4th Streets, but which is which depends on the direction one is exiting from :-(

Looking through my 670 signage photo collection, I can predict two more rounds of signage alterations for that interstate in the next 5 years.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on February 20, 2013, 11:00:58 AM
Just found this:

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-phasing201302.png)
[Original: 1.1MB] (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/PublishingImages/Phasing%20Plan%20w-Phase%202%20schedules%2010-2012.jpg)

There's not much new information here in the big picture, but it's interesting to see the exact scope of the Mound St part of the project that's been moved up to this year.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: J N Winkler on February 20, 2013, 11:06:58 AM
This is just a side observation, but I wish that table included a field giving the PIDs for each project, for those of us who keep track of such things.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on June 06, 2013, 01:10:06 PM
Some photos from Tuesday:

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2013-06-04.2s.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2013-06-04.2.jpg)Ramp from Elijah Pierce Ave / Spring St to I-71 NB bridge over ramp from I-71 NB to I-670 WB
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2013-06-04.9s.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2013-06-04.9.jpg)Ramp from Elijah Pierce Ave / Spring St to I-71 NB
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2013-06-04.12s.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2013-06-04.12.jpg)I-71, north view from Spring St
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2013-06-04.16s.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2013-06-04.16.jpg)I-71 SB bridge over ramp from I-670 EB to I-71 SB; temporary I-71 SB

More in the quoted thread.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on June 22, 2013, 02:21:23 PM
Went on ohgo.com today, hoping to catch some of the Pride parade on traffic cams.  Instead, I found this stale image of the 71/670 construction:
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/rhodescam-fthayes-20130426enh.jpg)
(I have applied some enhancement to this image.)

Not much is visible, except for some progress pouring the deck on new I-670 EB flyover.  Of course, I haven't myself been able to photograph that bridge from above, so any overhead shot is a treat.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on July 08, 2013, 11:40:16 AM
Work begins on Mound Street Connector
(Phase 2C illustrated above)

http://www.columbusunderground.com/work-begins-on-mound-street-connector-next-phase-of-7071-split-bw1

Quote
Today, work begins on re-connecting Mound Street between 5th Street and Grant Avenue — a key part of the plan to establish Mound as a one-way collector street bringing west-bound traffic into Downtown from I-70. Traffic will flow into Downtown from a new “fly-over”  bridge that will connect the freeway to Mound Street where it currently intersects with Washington Street. Once the Mound Street Connector is open, which ODOT is estimating will be in the fall of 2014, the 4th Street exit from I-70 west will close.



A new 18th Street bridge, which is also included in this phase of the project, will feature street lights and wrought-iron fencing.



Phase 2D is scheduled to start in 2014 and will include further work on Mound Street (west of 4th Street), as well as new exit ramps to Parsons Avenue, new bridges at Main, Grant and 4th Streets, and work on Fulton Street — which will eventually serve as the east-bound collector road for downtown.



(http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/odot-mound-02.jpg)

(http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/odot-mound-01.jpg)

It seems that the initial terminology of multiple projects, each with multiple phases, has been abandoned entirely in favor of one epic project with numbered large phases, which are divided into number-lettered phases as necessary.  Also, portions of the phasing chart above may now be out of date; I think I saw a document on ODOT website detailing some changes to work limits on future phases to refocus limited funds.



I still don't get why they're doing 3 through lanes eastbound on I-70, but only 2 through lanes westbound.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on August 02, 2013, 02:56:37 PM
I managed to find this updated phasing chart which reflects the most recent shuffling of money by the Kasich administration:

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-phasing201307.png)

(Original 26MB image) (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/PublishingImages/Phasing%207-25-13.png)

I still find it troubling that the West Split (Mound / Sandusky) Interchange still isn't funded.  It looks like the C/D ramps are to be more or less grafted onto the existing interchange.  And it sort of looks like they've modified the design wrt how the I-71 southbound through movement interacts with the westbound Mound St entrance, but I can't tell from this graphic with certainty.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on August 24, 2013, 04:21:19 AM
Southbound I-71 is closed through the I-670 interchange this weekend. When it reopens, I-71 traffic will be on its final alignment.  Other things are supposed to start opening up over the next several weeks, too.  I think I heard it will be all done (from a ramps and lanes open perspective) sometime in November.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 09, 2013, 02:28:51 PM
A couple weeks ago I got some pictures of the Mound Street Connector construction.  Just now got around to preparing them for sharing on Internet.

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-130827-1s.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-130827-1.jpg)(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-130827-2s.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-130827-2.jpg)(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-130827-3s.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-130827-3.jpg)(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-130827-4s.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-130827-4.jpg)(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-130827-5s.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-130827-5.jpg)(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-130827-6s.jpg) (http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-130827-6.jpg)

First 4 photos: Mound Street Connector (future exit from I-70 WB) construction, with Main St to I-71 SB ramp reconstruction in foreground.  5th photo: existing Mound St to be reconstructed soon.  (Can't really tell from the photo, but the parking lanes are exposed brick pavers.)  Last photo: construction of missing section of Mound Street between Fifth and Grant.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on September 15, 2013, 05:52:51 PM
New I-670 EB flyover bridge is now open.  With that, I-670 EB mainline is on final alignment and has final topology.  Approaching I-71 interchange, left 2 lanes of I-670 EB are for I-670 through traffic.  The ramps to I-71 now diverge from the mainline on the right as a single two-lane Exit 5.

Update: Pictures!

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-exit5-1.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-exit5-2.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/colsxrds-exit5-3.jpg)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: ctsignguy on September 22, 2013, 11:46:11 AM
Seems they have saved the real bottleneck for last....the W I-70/71 split is the worst because if you are driving north on i-71, once you merge on I-70, you have two miles to navigate across several lanes to continue northward...and to top that off, you essentially have a three-lane interstate narrow down to ONE lane to merge to I-70E....
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on November 10, 2013, 01:32:42 PM
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/71670/Pages/Be-Ready.-New-Ramps-New-Movements-in-One-Week.aspx (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/71670/Pages/Be-Ready.-New-Ramps-New-Movements-in-One-Week.aspx)

Ramps now open: Fifth Ave to I-71 SB; I-71 SB to Spring St / Lester Dr; I-670 WB to Spring St / Lester Dr.  The ramps from Cleveland Ave to I-670 EB and I-71 NB should be open by tomorrow. 

By next Monday, various ramps associated with I-71 NB are scheduled to open.  This will complete the 71/670 project, at least from a lanes-and-ramps-open perspective.  The project continues to spring; I assume this is landscaping and other minor finishing work (as well as the C/D roads between Spring and Long). 

Note, in the diagram (http://vidthekid.info/misc/fthayesdone.jpg) I provided showing the completed configuration, I made a guess about a lane reduction on I-71 SB which now appears will be wrong.  In the diagram, I-71 is shown as 3 lanes after the ramp to Spring St diverges, then remains 3 lanes as the ramp from I-670 WB merges in (with a lane shift to the right relative to the super-final configuration after future projects), then the right lane is dropped as the exit to Broad St, leaving 2 lanes for I-71 SB and room for a third lane on the left.  Instead, I-71 SB will be 3 lanes only for a short distance after the ramp to Spring St diverges, then the left lane ends, with room for it to continue; I-71 will remain 2 lanes with room for a third lane on the left, plus an auxiliary lane on the right between the entrance from I-670 WB and the exit to Broad St. 
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on February 04, 2014, 03:16:06 PM
ODOT has updated the signage on westbound I-70 approaching I-71 ("east split" interchange):

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/70w-101b.jpg)

That "downtown" exit lane is actually (for now) exit only for Fourth Street, which is exit 100B.  This seems to be a hint that the exit to Mound Street they're currently constructing will be exit 101B (and probably simply signed as Downtown).  I had previously predicted it would be exit 100.

I suspect the impetus for this signage change was largely the right two lanes.  Previously, they were signed separately for I-71 NB and Broad St.  Since November, neither of those two lanes become through lanes on I-71 anymore: the right lane is still exit-only for Broad St; the other now becomes exit-only for I-670 not far downstream on I-71.  Seems like if they kept US 40 / Broad St on that sign, they might as well have said "to I-670" as well.  For that matter, US 62 and OH 16 are on that stretch of Broad St; why aren't they mentioned?
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Central Avenue on February 04, 2014, 04:32:52 PM
For that matter, US 62 and OH 16 are on that stretch of Broad St; why aren't they mentioned?

That always bothered me too. It makes sense to omit OH 16, I guess, since the entirety of OH 16 west of Bexley is redundant with US 40, but why leave off US 62?
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: thenetwork on February 04, 2014, 05:08:39 PM
For that matter, US 62 and OH 16 are on that stretch of Broad St; why aren't they mentioned?

That always bothered me too. It makes sense to omit OH 16, I guess, since the entirety of OH 16 west of Bexley is redundant with US 40, but why leave off US 62?

They omit quite a few routes on the BGSs in Downtown Cleveland as well: (US-6 is not listed on the Superior Avenue Exit, US-322 is not listed on the Chester Avenue Exit, US-422/SR-8 are not listed on the Woodland Avenue exit,...(though to ODOTs defense, the latter exit already lists East 30th St., Woodland and Broadway Avenues on the signs -- adding shields to the sign is TMI!)

So don't feel bad, Columbus.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: silverback1065 on February 04, 2014, 07:36:32 PM
For that matter, US 62 and OH 16 are on that stretch of Broad St; why aren't they mentioned?

That always bothered me too. It makes sense to omit OH 16, I guess, since the entirety of OH 16 west of Bexley is redundant with US 40, but why leave off US 62?

They omit quite a few routes on the BGSs in Downtown Cleveland as well: (US-6 is not listed on the Superior Avenue Exit, US-322 is not listed on the Chester Avenue Exit, US-422/SR-8 are not listed on the Woodland Avenue exit,...(though to ODOTs defense, the latter exit already lists East 30th St., Woodland and Broadway Avenues on the signs -- adding shields to the sign is TMI!)

So don't feel bad, Columbus.

At least columbus didn't pull an indianapolis and get rid of all the highways inside the beltway
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: exit10 on February 05, 2014, 07:47:04 PM
At least columbus didn't pull an indianapolis and get rid of all the highways inside the beltway

Honestly, this might be an improvement, at least in moderation, given that most routes running through the city zigzag in ways no one would ever think of traveling and do not conform to historic routes (US 23 is the worst offender, but US 33, US 40, US 62, and OH 3 all do this to one degree or another).

I might need to make a Fictional Highways post out of this ...
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Buck87 on February 05, 2014, 08:22:41 PM
US 23 is the worst offender

Speaking of that, when was US 23 moved off most of High Street? Was the idea to reduce traffic past OSU?
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: silverback1065 on February 05, 2014, 09:25:04 PM
At least columbus didn't pull an indianapolis and get rid of all the highways inside the beltway

Honestly, this might be an improvement, at least in moderation, given that most routes running through the city zigzag in ways no one would ever think of traveling and do not conform to historic routes (US 23 is the worst offender, but US 33, US 40, US 62, and OH 3 all do this to one degree or another).

I might need to make a Fictional Highways post out of this ...

You're right, especially us 40, it makes a lot of weird zigzags when it first enters Ohio from Indiana.  Also Ohio has way to many state highways, especially in its cities, some seemingly doubly or even triply redundant.  Do the cities maintain the routes inside their boarders?  I would seem having so many routes would be insanely expensive for a state to maintain.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on February 06, 2014, 07:38:00 PM
To give you an example, for snow plowing in Columbus: the state does the interstates, the city does SRs 104 and 315, even though they are state routes and freeways. The state has nothing like say Virginia, where everything is a state road. Here there are state, county, and even township roads. The township my mom lives in has a "road and cemetery" department and that's pretty much all the services she gets from them.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on February 06, 2014, 11:24:12 PM
To give you an example, for snow plowing in Columbus: the state does the interstates, the city does SRs 104 and 315, even though they are state routes and freeways. The state has nothing like say Virginia, where everything is a state road. Here there are state, county, and even township roads. The township my mom lives in has a "road and cemetery" department and that's pretty much all the services she gets from them.

I think you might live in the same township I do. We find the zoning enforcement people are very much doing their jobs.  (I once saw some township literature which summarized the budget: Road&Cemetery, Police, Zoning, and one other department (possibly Fire) all received roughly equal allocation.  I didn't know the township even had a police force…)

Incorporated cities over some threshold (5K or 10K, I forget which) take over maintenance of non-Interstate state routes in Ohio.  Signage of these routes is usually adequate; that may or may not be handled by ODOT in most cities, but there are a few cities which clearly do their own (cringeworthy but typically still functionally adequate) route signage.

I think US 23 was rerouted off High St in the 60s; I could pin it down tighter, but I'm not on my PC at the moment to look at the old maps.  Columbus had seen explosive northward growth after the war, and whichever street carried US 23 would be burdened both with that intercity traffic and a lot of commuters. The one-way pair of Summit and 4th was better able to perform that double duty than High St, I suppose.

Moving the US routes to freeways in Columbus is something I can support, at least to some degree.  I'll have to elaborate more on that in Fictional Highways.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: thenetwork on February 07, 2014, 09:42:12 PM
I think US 23 was rerouted off High St in the 60s; I could pin it down tighter, but I'm not on my PC at the moment to look at the old maps.

I just happened to have the official Ohio state map from 1957 within arm's length -- According to the Columbus inset, it was on the Fourth/Summit corridor even then, with one-way sections between Hudson and Warren north of downtown.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on February 12, 2014, 10:52:27 PM
Seems like if they kept US 40 / Broad St on that sign, they might as well have said "to I-670" as well.  For that matter, US 62 and OH 16 are on that stretch of Broad St; why aren't they mentioned?

62 and 16 (along Broad St) have never been signed from I-71. Even the old photos from the Columbus newspapers only show US 40.
Heck, ODOT didn't get around to adding an Ohio 3 shield to the Cleveland Ave. overheads, along I-71, till I-670 east (to the airport) was completed in '89 or '90.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on October 09, 2014, 09:57:31 PM
The Mound Street Connector and related work along Mound Street are nearing completion.  I think that should be done by the end of the year.

Google now has aerial imagery from mid June, so it's now pretty easy to see what's changed since 2011.
Title: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on October 10, 2014, 04:41:20 PM
The Mound Street Connector and related work along Mound Street are nearing completion.  I think that should be done by the end of the year.

Google now has aerial imagery from mid June, so it's now pretty easy to see what's changed since 2011.

The connector is supposed to be open by the end of October according to ODOTs Instagram page.

Re: new Google imagery, I am now on street view in a work truck up at Sawmill and 161 :bigass:

Edit: random curious thought, seems like every other state has a general developments thread in the regional forums...why not us? Aside from the obvious "no one's made one yet."
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on October 11, 2014, 10:54:24 AM
The Mound Street Connector seems really logical now that it's there. It almost looks like it was there from the beginning.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Central Avenue on October 11, 2014, 10:57:26 AM
Every time I drive past there I find myself wishing it were open so I could give it a try. Glad to know it won't be too much longer.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on October 11, 2014, 08:38:00 PM
^With all due respect, I must say your username puts me in a depressing mood.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on October 11, 2014, 10:49:08 PM
…because Central Ave is in a ghetto?
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on October 12, 2014, 09:24:28 PM
I wouldn't really call it a ghetto due to the fact that it is racially diverse and doesn't contain a majority of people from outside the USA. Run-down for sure though.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: exit10 on November 01, 2014, 01:07:59 AM
Didn't get a pic, but there's a sign on the Exit 100B ramp from I-70W/I-71S to Fourth Street (US 23) indicating it is closing for good this Friday (November 7), so presumably the Mound Street Connector will be open for business on or near that date. There was also a new overhead sign (labeled simply "Downtown") installed over the ramp for what will be Exit 101B.

Personally, I will not miss the idiocy that ramp revealed in local drivers, who never seemed capable of understanding that a green arrow supersedes a red light.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on November 01, 2014, 01:27:00 AM
Didn't get a pic, but there's a sign on the Exit 100B ramp from I-70W/I-71S to Fourth Street (US 23) indicating it is closing for good this Friday (November 7), so presumably the Mound Street Connector will be open for business on or near that date. There was also a new overhead sign (labeled simply "Downtown") installed over the ramp for what will be Exit 101B.

Yes, the new exit will open the following morning, as has been mentioned just a few posts upthread.

I'm surprised the sign says only Downtown.  IMO it should also say Mound Street, or (following the lead of the new exit from 71 SB) the first major cross street, which would be Washington or Grant.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on November 02, 2014, 10:56:59 PM
After that and the finishing of the 18th St. bridge things will cool off until 2017, so says the Columbus Dispatch.

Quote
Columbus highway project will idle until 2017 after connector is completed
Rick Rouan
Nov 2, 2014 06:11
Commuters will be getting some breathing room on Downtown highways for at least a little while.

The Ohio Department of Transportation’s plan to untangle Downtown highways will be on hiatus for two years once the $30 million Mound Street connector project wraps up this fall.

That means the cranes, bulldozers and pavers that have become a mainstay on interstates near the city center shouldn’t return in force until 2017.

The new ramp bridge that will carry westbound I-70 traffic onto Mound Street, which is now a one-way street, opens on Saturday. ODOT will close the 4th Street exit from the highway for good on Friday. Complete General Construction still needs to finish rebuilding the 18th Street bridge over the highway before the project is completed at the end of the year.

Once the finishing touches are applied, though, Downtown highways should be clear of major construction until nearly $300 million for the next two phases becomes available in 2017.

“Things will settle down for a while,”  said Rick Tilton, assistant director in the Columbus Department of Public Service. “There will be a period of adjustment.”

ODOT has been working on Downtown interstates since September 2011, when it started the $200 million rebuilding of the I-71/670 interchange. Crews finished that project this year.

The Mound Street connector project started in July 2013. A new bridge will carry westbound I-70 drivers who want to exit to Downtown over the interchange and Parsons Avenue and onto the surface street, where they can connect with northbound arteries.

The project also seals off the 4th Street exit, a crash-prone area that drivers were using illegally, said Nancy Burton, ODOT spokeswoman. “There was a lot of weaving and merging of people trying to enter the highway, people trying to go through and people trying to exit.”

About 175,000 vehicles use the interchange each day, and the corridor averaged two crashes a day between 2002 and 2012.

Drivers will have to decide sooner that they want to exit to Downtown, Burton said. Drivers rounding the bend after exits for Alum Creek and Miller-Kelton will need to stay in the second lane from the left to hit the new ramp. The ramp then will split into two lanes before it dumps traffic onto Mound, she said.

Signs for the exit will read Downtown, she said, not Mound Street.

Mound already has been converted for one-way traffic between Washington Avenue and 4th Street. Traffic signals are in place at Washington and Grant avenues and 4th and 5th streets. All of those streets can be used to head north into the heart of Downtown.

The 18th Street bridge should re-open to traffic in December, Burton said, capping off more than three years of continuous Downtown highway construction.

ODOT is to be back on Downtown interstates in 2017 to start work on the I-70/71 east interchange, a $166 million project. It also is to start rebuilding eastbound and northbound lanes of the I-70/71 south innerbelt, which will cost about $128 million.

Future phases are planned in 2022 and 2023.

“Ultimately, when the entire Downtown improvements are done, it will provide for people to be somewhat more direct to their destination,”  said Nick Gill, assistant transportation director at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on December 30, 2014, 05:25:59 PM
A drive down the Mound St. Connector. I even managed to hit a green wave!

Title: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on April 15, 2015, 03:47:33 PM
They've finally gotten a little wise and have restriped 70 to two through lanes at the connector, merging to one closer to the old 4th street exit. Only problem is now the Downtown exit sign has the arrow pointing at the wrong lane.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on April 15, 2015, 05:49:21 PM
They've finally gotten a little wise and have restriped 70 to two through lanes at the connector, merging to one closer to the old 4th street exit. Only problem is now the Downtown exit sign has the arrow pointing at the wrong lane.

I suspect that may have been the plan all along.  For the time when that was one lane, it appeared the right shoulder and the old exit ramp were repurposed as a kind of service road for construction access, though I never saw any vehicles using it.  Now that such a service road is (apparently) no longer needed, the right lane is back in service.

I've only gone through there once since the change, and I didn't really get a good look at what needs fixing with the signs.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on April 16, 2015, 03:28:05 PM

They've finally gotten a little wise and have restriped 70 to two through lanes at the connector, merging to one closer to the old 4th street exit. Only problem is now the Downtown exit sign has the arrow pointing at the wrong lane.

I've only gone through there once since the change, and I didn't really get a good look at what needs fixing with the signs.

A Whole Lot :)

(http://i.imgur.com/8xavcvJ.jpg)

Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: tradephoric on May 16, 2015, 04:01:09 PM
A drive down the Mound St. Connector. I even managed to hit a green wave!


You're impressed about hitting a green wave along a one-way street?  That's cute.  Here's a real green wave. 

Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on May 16, 2015, 10:20:31 PM
Never said I was impressed, it made for a smoother video.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Alex on May 28, 2015, 12:03:37 PM
Columbus Crossroads main project website: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/Pages/default.aspx (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/Pages/default.aspx) (page layout a bit broken -- look for a horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the content area...)

Indeed the web page is designed poorly. Trying to find current information requires some sifting, and the best I could discover are PDF files from March of 2014 (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/publicmeetings/Pages/March-19-2014Meeting.aspx).

Based upon the March 2014 section of the site, is subsequent work currently on hold until funding kicks in?
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/publicmeetings/March2014MeetingFiles/03-19-14%20-1-%20Columbus%20Crossroads%20Phasing%20Plan.pdf
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: busman_49 on May 28, 2015, 01:22:59 PM
...is subsequent work currently on hold until funding kicks in?

That's the impression I was under
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on May 28, 2015, 02:21:25 PM
Columbus Crossroads main project website: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/Pages/default.aspx (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/Pages/default.aspx) (page layout a bit broken -- look for a horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the content area...)

Indeed the web page is designed poorly. Trying to find current information requires some sifting, and the best I could discover are PDF files from March of 2014 (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/publicmeetings/Pages/March-19-2014Meeting.aspx).

Based upon the March 2014 section of the site, is subsequent work currently on hold until funding kicks in?
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/publicmeetings/March2014MeetingFiles/03-19-14%20-1-%20Columbus%20Crossroads%20Phasing%20Plan.pdf

I don't think I've heard any newer information, though the schedule could get reshuffled a bit when Congress figures out what to do about highway funding or the next time Kasich sneezes.

As it is, looks like phases 2 and 4A are next starting in 2017, which means:
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on May 28, 2015, 04:59:37 PM
Thankfully every time Kasich sneezes it seems to be in favor of the Columbus road system. I have also been thinking nothing new until 2017, which irks me because they used this project as an excuse to drop the speed limit on 70E at W. Broad, instead of 315. Also, the next phase looks to be a hell of a lot of bridges over the river.

There was a community meeting some time ago regarding the Bellows School. I think ODOT gave in to preservationists (even though the only thing holding it up is the will of the almighty and I think the plywood over the windows is now load bearing :) ) but that scratches the EB 70 to NB 315 movement.  No big loss, just take 670, but they are still tinkering with the design on that end.

You can kinda see some of the next phase in the extra space under the new 18th Street bridge, the goofy jog in the new Mound St ramp, and the angle of the new(ish, at this point) retaining wall near Africentric HS. I'm pretty sure they're a good ways on, if not finished, with property stuff along Parsons...ET Paul is a goner for the most part.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on May 28, 2015, 06:43:51 PM
There was a community meeting some time ago regarding the Bellows School. I think ODOT gave in to preservationists (even though the only thing holding it up is the will of the almighty and I think the plywood over the windows is now load bearing :) ) but that scratches the EB 70 to NB 315 movement.  No big loss, just take 670, but they are still tinkering with the design on that end.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the revised Mound—Sandusky Interchange design.  To me it looks underdesigned, it makes the ramps to & from Mound St practically pointless, and it moots the whole first bunch of posts of the Sign Plan Challenge thread.  Speaking of those ramps, a redevelopment proposal (http://www.columbusunderground.com/transit-proposals-beginning-to-generate-discussion-bw1) wants to make a full interchange there:
(http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/themes/patterns/timthumb.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.columbusunderground.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F05%2Fwest-side-01.jpg&q=90&w=650&zc=1&)
Those would be some steep inclines for the new ramps, and I don't think ODOT would like the new weaving created between there and the Central/Sullivant ramps…
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on April 18, 2016, 07:26:01 PM
The next phase of 70/71, the east split full rebuild, was scheduled for 2017 but has been postponed to '18 due to a lack of funding, according to recent reporting in local media.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: cl94 on April 18, 2016, 07:35:47 PM
The next phase of 70/71, the east split full rebuild, was scheduled for 2017 but has been postponed to '18 due to a lack of funding, according to recent reporting in local media.

Not like there isn't enough work going on in Columbus right now. 270/23/315 is moving west to 315 and 270/33 is well underway. Might give them a chance to finish those projects first.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on July 24, 2017, 01:37:45 AM
Surprise, apparently the plan's been changed again, and construction is starting in the vicinity of the east junction of 70 & 71.  The following graphic, which looks barely above MS Paint standards, is apparently the latest and best info about what's happening when:

(http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/PublishingImages/2017%20ReLaunch/Next%205%20years%20with%20costs.png)
(from Columbus Crossroads Phasing Map And Descriptions (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/Pages/Columbus-Crossroads-Phasing-Map.aspx)

All the other info about phases and schedules, while more detailed, is apparently now outdated, as all the phase designations in the current graphic are new.  There's also some graphic PDFs showing the South Innerbelt (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/Documents/170224%20SOUTH%20TRENCH_Web%20Graphic%202E.pdf) and East Innerbelt (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/Documents/170224%20EAST%20TRENCH_Web%20Graphic%203B.pdf) in hastily-rendered detail, partially obscured by gray patches that may or may not be there to reduce attention on parts that aren't happening yet, but I guess they do show the extents of the new phases, now that I've had some time to process the information that's available to me.

It's still unclear to me whether there will be a ~3year period in which 71 SB traffic will have to weave across 70 WB traffic…
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on July 24, 2017, 11:25:03 PM
I'll believe in the start of "phase 4" & "phase 6" when I see it. There is no secured funding for them as of now.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: cl94 on July 25, 2017, 07:53:03 PM
I'll believe in the start of "phase 4" & "phase 6" when I see it. There is no secured funding for them as of now.

Granted, I was saying the same thing about the East Innerbelt stuff a decade ago. Quite different from how it was when I lived in the area in the mid-2000s. At least ODOT actually seems to be able to fund things. Can't say that about my state, which can barely fund required maintenance.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on July 26, 2017, 01:16:02 AM
What they're basically promising now is 7 years of continuous construction and then it still won't be all done, unless they move forward with other phases before 2024, in which case it'll be at least a decade of continuous construction.  We're about to get an orange-barrel occupation like Clevelanders, Cincinnatians, Daytonians, and Toledoans are familiar with.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: cl94 on July 26, 2017, 05:42:52 PM
Just be glad stuff is getting done. I'd love to see orange barrels for something other than maintenance required to keep bridges from falling down  :-D
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on July 28, 2017, 12:46:36 AM
What they're basically promising now is 7 years of continuous construction and then it still won't be all done, unless they move forward with other phases before 2024, in which case it'll be at least a decade of continuous construction.  We're about to get an orange-barrel occupation like Clevelanders, Cincinnatians, Daytonians, and Toledoans are familiar with.

In other words, remember "Spring-Sandusky?" (Something that took 10 years to complete and locals have long forgotten the worse of)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on July 28, 2017, 01:18:07 AM
I didn't start driving until 2000, but my family drove through Spring-Sandusky on 315 semi-regularly in the 90s and I don't remember it being constantly under construction.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on August 02, 2017, 10:11:28 PM
(http://www.roadfan.com/sprsan93.jpg)
Morphed into...
(http://www.roadfan.com/ss1.jpg)
At the turn of the millennium, this was 315 between Town St and Goodale Blvd.
(http://www.roadfan.com/ssdirt.jpg)
(last photo taken by someone for Columbus Monthly magazine)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on August 05, 2017, 04:17:38 AM
(http://www.roadfan.com/sprsan93.jpg)
Morphed into...
(http://www.roadfan.com/ss1.jpg)
At the turn of the millennium, this was 315 between Town St and Goodale Blvd.

I remember finding that Dispatch graphic in my grandpa's bathroom, and in 2001 I wrote Tim Mentel at Paving The Way asking for some more detailed plans for I-670 than what was in the press at the time, and he sent me a print of that second diagram you posted.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on February 25, 2018, 09:10:40 PM
First Columbus Crossroads post for 2018.
Mound Street going one way (EB) as construction to widen it starts.
http://www.dispatch.com/news/20180223/mound-street-project-to-make-downtown-driving-even-more-difficult (http://www.dispatch.com/news/20180223/mound-street-project-to-make-downtown-driving-even-more-difficult)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: cl94 on February 25, 2018, 09:20:11 PM
About flipping time. Nice to see more progress on this thing (finally). Didn't look like much was going on when I was through there in August 2017.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on May 06, 2018, 11:10:43 PM
Starting yesterday [April 27], drivers heading south on Route 315 as it merges with I-71 west of Downtown will no longer be able to exit at Greenlawn Avenue.  ODOT said it made the decision for safety reasons.

During construction of the South Side Mega Fix and after the reconfiguration of traffic lanes is finished in 2020, the way to exit at Greenlawn Avenue will change.  Southbound Route 315 travelers would've only had 400 feet to merge across two lanes to exit at Greenlawn, instead of the current 1,200 feet.

In the above linked article, ODOT spokeswoman Nancy Burton said, “400 feet is simply not enough pavement, not enough time, to make that maneuver.  It’s already kind of a tricky maneuver to begin with.”

Drivers heading south on I-71 from eastbound and westbound I-70 will still be able to exit at Greenlawn.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/869/40861347515_f122c7673e_o_d.png)

Link (if you can get past the Dispatch's paywall): http://www.dispatch.com/news/20180426/greenlawn-ave-exit-from-southbound-rt-315-to-permanently-close-friday (http://www.dispatch.com/news/20180426/greenlawn-ave-exit-from-southbound-rt-315-to-permanently-close-friday)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: PurdueBill on May 06, 2018, 11:21:29 PM
Bummer--the bridge-mounted sign for Greenlawn that is abnormally high above the road on 315 SB (if it is still 315 there) as it goes under 70 WB will be irrelevant now and probably gone soon (if not already).
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: silverback1065 on May 07, 2018, 07:46:19 AM
it's nice your guys inner loop is getting reconstructed without much fuss.  Here in Indy NIMBYs are trying to get rid of it. 
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: osubrett2 on May 08, 2018, 09:00:45 AM
Bummer--the bridge-mounted sign for Greenlawn that is abnormally high above the road on 315 SB (if it is still 315 there) as it goes under 70 WB will be irrelevant now and probably gone soon (if not already).
It was removed the day of the closure.

I understand why the exit is now prohibited from 315SB, but it really creates other challenges to get into German/Merion Villages. The detour is 71SB to 104, and then using 104 to head east or get back on 71NB to exit Greenlawn from that direction. With speaking with neighbors, most are using 315SB to 70EB, and then having to merge across 4 lanes in 1/2 mile to exit Front/High Streets. During rush hour, this is a huge challenge and creates other issues.

Other ongoing projects in the area are making travel into the southside neighborhoods rather annoying and tiresome. As part of the Crossroads, the Grant Avenue bridge from downtown to GV over I-70 has been demolished. And Columbus City is re-configuring Parsons Avenue from 4 lanes to 3 (1 each direction + 1 center turn lane) and this has created bottlenecks getting down through Nationwide Children's.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: PurdueBill on May 08, 2018, 10:34:43 AM
Bummer--the bridge-mounted sign for Greenlawn that is abnormally high above the road on 315 SB (if it is still 315 there) as it goes under 70 WB will be irrelevant now and probably gone soon (if not already).
It was removed the day of the closure.

I understand why the exit is now prohibited from 315SB, but it really creates other challenges to get into German/Merion Villages. The detour is 71SB to 104, and then using 104 to head east or get back on 71NB to exit Greenlawn from that direction. With speaking with neighbors, most are using 315SB to 70EB, and then having to merge across 4 lanes in 1/2 mile to exit Front/High Streets. During rush hour, this is a huge challenge and creates other issues.

Other ongoing projects in the area are making travel into the southside neighborhoods rather annoying and tiresome. As part of the Crossroads, the Grant Avenue bridge from downtown to GV over I-70 has been demolished. And Columbus City is re-configuring Parsons Avenue from 4 lanes to 3 (1 each direction + 1 center turn lane) and this has created bottlenecks getting down through Nationwide Children's.

They're more on top of things in Columbus than elsewhere in the state.  In Akron on I-76/77, signs for Exit 22B remained standing for over a year after the exits were closed, never to open again, with orange CLOSED strips over them. Only having to remove the sign bridges themselves caused the signs to come down, over a year after the exit was closed.  That sign in Columbus was memorably high--it was the first thing I thought of when the exit prohibition was mentioned.
It seems like the practical detour in Columbus is no better than the old condition with a weave.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on May 08, 2018, 10:42:23 PM

I understand why the exit is now prohibited from 315SB, but it really creates other challenges to get into German/Merion Villages. The detour is 71SB to 104, and then using 104 to head east or get back on 71NB to exit Greenlawn from that direction. With speaking with neighbors, most are using 315SB to 70EB, and then having to merge across 4 lanes in 1/2 mile to exit Front/High Streets. During rush hour, this is a huge challenge and creates other issues.

Other ongoing projects in the area are making travel into the southside neighborhoods rather annoying and tiresome. As part of the Crossroads, the Grant Avenue bridge from downtown to GV over I-70 has been demolished. And Columbus City is re-configuring Parsons Avenue from 4 lanes to 3 (1 each direction + 1 center turn lane) and this has created bottlenecks getting down through Nationwide Children's.
That sign in Columbus was memorably high--it was the first thing I thought of when the exit prohibition was mentioned.
It seems like the practical detour in Columbus is no better than the old condition with a weave.

Maybe it'll just be a 5 year detour?
https://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/PublishingImages/Phasing%20Plan%20-%209-2016%20update%20r3.jpg
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Buck87 on January 05, 2020, 10:51:38 AM
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/7071/Documents/Closures%20-%20What%20to%20Expect.pdf

Currently ongoing the reconstruction and widening of I-70 eastbound between 4th and Miller, changes to ramps at Parsons and Fulton, as well as some street level work.

Looking at the TRAC list, looks like there's also funding for the westbound I-70 reconstruction and widening in 2021
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on April 03, 2020, 10:54:20 PM
First bit of fallout, due to DeWine "shutting down" Ohio, last month, has come forth.
ODOT is postponing one of the parts of the Crossroads project (new bridge & ramp around Front St) from later this year to 2021.
https://www.columbusunderground.com/broad-street-ramps-to-close-future-phase-of-70-71-project-delayed-bw1 (https://www.columbusunderground.com/broad-street-ramps-to-close-future-phase-of-70-71-project-delayed-bw1)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on October 22, 2020, 09:04:15 PM
(https://vidthekid.info/imghost/2020/77-7071progress.png)

Here's a graphic I made showing the current progress on the 70/71 east split. The background photography is from April of this year, via Google Earth. The drawing on top represents current progress as I've observed, and future construction.

The white lines are the mainlines and ramps of the future configuration.

Bridges outlined in white (
) are complete, built anew for this interchange reconstruction.

The bridge outlined in magenta (
) has been removed.

The bridges outlined in cyan (
) are currently under construction, with beams already set and decking in progress.

The bridges outlined in orange (
) are presently standing but will be removed.

The bridges outlined in yellow (
) will be built in the future. Note that the Main St bridge over I-71 is marked as both "presently standing, will be removed" and "will be built in the future"; it is my understanding that the alignment of Main St may slightly change alignment, and the new bridge will probably have its supports in different places.

The next traffic shift will be of I-71 NB, to its new alignment under the new Fulton St ramp and I-70 bridges. This will happen next month, weather permitting; otherwise, it will be postponed until the spring.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Buck87 on October 24, 2020, 05:07:54 PM
^ Thanks for such a detailed breakdown
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on November 15, 2020, 05:28:28 PM
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2020/83-Front-I70.jpeg)

Looks like paving is underway for the new I-71 north through movement

(Note: the caption "I-70 at Front St" loosely refers to the camera location, not the location of the area visible in the picture. This view is looking roughly east, and the bridge in the middle of the image is Grant Ave over I-70/71. The camera is actually mounted high up on one of the county government buildings, just north of Fulton St, and roughly halfway between Front St and High St.)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on November 15, 2020, 09:25:35 PM
Wait, is that a tunnel? Or at least what passes for a tunnel in Columbus? Somehow I missed that. It's too hard to see a lot of what's going on when you drive through since it's about like navigating Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course right now.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on November 16, 2020, 12:00:56 AM
I think it's just a bridge, but with the beams perpendicular across the roadway below instead of parallel to the roadway above. It kinda looks like they're only building the deck where the roadway above will be.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on November 22, 2020, 04:24:50 PM
Wait, is that a tunnel? Or at least what passes for a tunnel in Columbus? Somehow I missed that. It's too hard to see a lot of what's going on when you drive through since it's about like navigating Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course right now.
ODOT is referring to it as a tunnel
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201122/44a5425d38fce613956a1b7aa3f832cf.jpg)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on November 22, 2020, 11:43:30 PM
Can't be longer than the old Pennsy RR overpass on I-71, between 5th & 11th Aves.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on November 23, 2020, 08:02:54 PM
Probably not with by the amount of daylight you can see at the end.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on March 09, 2021, 11:38:43 AM
A bit of an update, using a traffic camera with annotations:

Current traffic pattern:
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/14-7071c.webp)

Finished traffic pattern:
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/14-7071f.webp)

Over the weekend, beams were set for the middle span of the bridge that will carry the entrance from Fulton St to I-70 EB & I-71 NB.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on March 13, 2021, 08:39:11 PM
I went downtown to take a bunch of pictures today…

From the eastbound exit to Parsons Ave (looking out the driver side window):

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-00.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-01.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-02.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-03.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-04.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-05.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-06.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-07.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-08.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-09.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-10.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-11.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-12.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-13.jpg)

From the 18th St bridge looking west:

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-14.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-15.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-16.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-17.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-18.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-19.jpg)

From a parking lot off Fulton St, looking south:

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-20.jpg)

From the Grant Ave bridge looking east:

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-21.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-22.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-23.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-24.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-25.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-26.jpg)

From the Grant Ave bridge looking west:

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-27.jpg)

From Fulton St looking southeast, south, and/or southwest:

(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-28.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-29.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-30.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-31.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-32.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-33.jpg)
(http://vidthekid.info/imghost/2021/15-7071-34.jpg)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on May 29, 2021, 11:41:10 AM
Lets see how far west ODOT gets on the I-70/71 rebuild before the next C-bus roadmeet (some point in 2023)
https://www.columbusunderground.com/i-70-71-split-project-moving-forward-front-street-bridge-to-be-replaced-bw1
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on July 15, 2021, 04:34:36 PM
Fulton St ramp to I-70 EB to open Monday (https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/OHDOT/bulletins/2e848db)

(https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/OHDOT/2021/07/4734647/3650584/ramp-opening_crop.png)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on October 18, 2021, 11:06:13 PM
Update on 70/71 in today's Dispatch
https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2021/10/18/70-westbound-go-one-two-lanes-heading-into-downtown/5987978001/
(But since it is paywalled for most of you here...)
Drivers navigating their way through the seemingly never-ending work on the Interstates 70/71 project Downtown will see some changes soon that will continue through the beginning of 2022.

But some other work the Ohio Department of Transportation planned might not happen.

"The challenge with funding moving forward is the large amount of work to be done," ODOT spokeswoman Breanna Badanes said.

What will happen:

- I-70 westbound will go from one to two lanes between Miller Avenue and I-71 approaching Downtown in November, presumably clearing up traffic snarls that have frustrated drivers heading through the interchange.

- The shifting of the I-71 northbound lanes to the right starting at the East Broad Street interchange will happen in November.

- The eastbound I-70 ramp to Front Street will close permanently in spring 2022.

- The eastbound I-70 ramp to Route 315 north will close permanently in spring 2022.

- The southbound ramp from East Broad Street to I-71 southbound reopens in summer 2022.

In addition, Fulton Street recently has been changed to one way eastbound between South High Street and South Grant Avenue before drivers can take the new ramp to I-70 east. And the ramp from northbound I-71 to East Broad Street has been opened since August.

All are part of the project, expected to cost $1.4 billion, that began in 2010 and that the Ohio Department of Transportation now expects to finish in 2026 for the phases that have been funded.

Crews continue to rebuild the Broad Street bridge over I-71. The southern half of the bridge has been completed, and crews are expected to complete the northern half by summer 2022.

ODOT still plans to rebuild Lester Drive along the west side of I-71 and Elijah Pierce Drive along the east side of I-71 – both sections between Long and Broad streets – in summer 2022 as well. Lester is to be an access road from and to southbound I-71. Parsons Avenue and Elijah Pierce Drive are to be the same for northbound I-71.

ODOT doesn't have the money to build the Lester Drive access road south of Broad to East Main Street, to rebuild the Oak and Town street bridges over I-71, or to reconstruct the I-71/East Main Street interchange and the Main Street bridge over I-71, Badanes said.

The total cost for all of that is $162 million.

While the $1.4 billion cost for the Interstates 70/71 project is spread over many years, Badanes put that expenditure in context: The state's total annual construction spending is $1.92 billion.

Josh Lapp of Transit Columbus, an advocacy group, said he has been following the construction work closely.

"Fundamentally, I'd much rather see that amount of money going to transit and other infrastructure that would have more impact on the long-term trajectory of our city," Lapp said.

"But some of the improvements they are making are a benefit," he said.

Lapps said that includes the funded "caps" for the South High Street and South 3rd Street bridges over I-70/I-71, and Livingston Avenue being converted to a two-way street west of Mohawk Street. Money is also in place for replacing the South Front Street and South 4th Street bridges

All of that will help pedestrians and bicyclists, Lapp said.

"You can't walk across 4th Street," he said.  "This will really help connect German Village and Downtown."

Plans also call for an I-70 eastbound ramp to Fulton Street Downtown that would replace the Front Street exit being shut permanently.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on October 19, 2021, 09:45:03 AM
An unanswered question

http://twitter.com/vidthekid/status/1440786537378050050
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: cl94 on October 19, 2021, 11:16:04 AM
- The eastbound I-70 ramp to Route 315 north will close permanently in spring 2022.

So, will this ramp be replaced as part of the future rebuild of the west interchange or will drivers be expected to use 670? I know the feds frown on partial interchanges, but this ramp is really only useful for drivers heading to a small part of Franklinton.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 74/171FAN on October 19, 2021, 01:20:55 PM
An unanswered question

http://twitter.com/vidthekid/status/1440786537378050050

FWIW, I do see signs in November 2020 GSV marking the turns  onto Mound (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9551994,-82.9966083,3a,75y,204.3h,80.97t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swj4cjLr3Be0--WzzYTAjHw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) and onto High (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9548515,-82.9989122,3a,75y,248.83h,81.64t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sBasDx5Cy8tYsUtw_8HUCmw!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DBasDx5Cy8tYsUtw_8HUCmw%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D7.854375%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192).
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on October 19, 2021, 06:54:00 PM
Huh, I never noticed those in person… :confused:
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on October 19, 2021, 10:14:04 PM
The oft-wily situation of trying to keep up with the routing of numbered routes in Ohio urban centers.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: SkyPesos on October 19, 2021, 11:36:08 PM
The oft-wily situation of trying to keep up with the routing of numbered routes in Ohio urban centers.
And then you look at downtown Louisville, which makes Ohio’s cities numbered routes look neatly signed and laid out in downtown.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on October 20, 2021, 12:51:12 AM
- The eastbound I-70 ramp to Route 315 north will close permanently in spring 2022.

So, will this ramp be replaced as part of the future rebuild of the west interchange or will drivers be expected to use 670? I know the feds frown on partial interchanges, but this ramp is really only useful for drivers heading to a small part of Franklinton.

With Mt. Carmel hospital, in Franklinton, now just a shell of its former self (majority of operations have now been moved to a new campus, east of Grove City), there is no *need* for that ramp from I-70 EB to Oh 315 NB.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on October 20, 2021, 05:36:35 PM
If there's still an ER they have to have concessions for it.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on October 20, 2021, 09:09:44 PM
If there's still an ER they have to have concessions for it.
There’s nothing left of the hospital. Originally, there was a plan to keep this movement but people complained about the historic (read: decrepit) school at the NW section of the interchange being demolished. I assume ODOT figured I-670 to SR 315 was a good enough alternative.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on October 20, 2021, 09:43:47 PM
They moved the ER to a new building at 120 S. Green St. just north of the intersection of S. Green and W. Town: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mount+Carmel+Franklinton+Emergency+Room/@39.957064,-83.0198153,3a,75y,40.07h,83.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soz7uqy2n1PiRz97VrNeMiQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m9!1m2!2m1!1smt.+carmel+hospital+columbus+ohio!3m5!1s0x88388f1316fc5a8f:0x5dbfe976d928e8e0!8m2!3d39.9572967!4d-83.019607!15sCiFtdC4gY2FybWVsIGhvc3BpdGFsIGNvbHVtYnVzIG9oaW-SAQ5lbWVyZ2VuY3lfcm9vbQ (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mount+Carmel+Franklinton+Emergency+Room/@39.957064,-83.0198153,3a,75y,40.07h,83.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soz7uqy2n1PiRz97VrNeMiQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m9!1m2!2m1!1smt.+carmel+hospital+columbus+ohio!3m5!1s0x88388f1316fc5a8f:0x5dbfe976d928e8e0!8m2!3d39.9572967!4d-83.019607!15sCiFtdC4gY2FybWVsIGhvc3BpdGFsIGNvbHVtYnVzIG9oaW-SAQ5lbWVyZ2VuY3lfcm9vbQ)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on March 10, 2022, 10:09:03 AM
So...ODOT & Gov. Mike DeWine decided to hold a press conference yesterday concerning the phase of I-70/71 rebuild in Columbus.
From today's Dispatch...

Quote
I-70-I-71 road projects to look out for in Downtown Columbus soon
Patrick Cooley
The Columbus Dispatch

Gov. Mike DeWine joined representatives of the Ohio Department of Transportation and the city of Columbus to announce the project from Dodge Park in Franklinton Wednesday afternoon. He spoke from a lectern at the edge of an observation area overlooking the stretch of Interstate 70 that spans the Scioto River.

The work was already underway Wednesday afternoon as cleared dirt on the east banks of the Scioto River in preparation for new exit and entrance ramps.

Drivers from all over the nation traverse Columbus through interstates 70 and 71, which converge Downtown, DeWine told reporters and local officials at Wednesday’s press conference.


“With two major interstates and with a huge traffic flow, (the project) impacts the entire country, or at least a large part of it,”  he said.

What changes are coming next for I-70 and I-71 in Downtown Columbus?
Building a ramp from the eastbound lanes of I-70 to Fulton Street to replace the Front Street exit.
Building a ramp from Mound Street to the southbound lanes of I-71.
Rebuilding the ramp from Mound Street to the westbound lanes of I-70, an endeavor that will include a new bridge over Short Street.
Rebuilding the Front Street bridge that spans I-70.
Making Front Street two-way traffic between Livingston Avenue and Mound Street, and expanding sidewalks and bike lanes.
Exit from the eastbound lanes of I-70 to Route 315 will close permanently on March 18.
Exit from the eastbound lanes of I-70 to Front Street will close in May.
Exit from the eastbound lanes of I-70 to Livingston Avenue will close in 2024.

Changes are planned for Interstates 70/71 at Fulton, Mound and Front streets.
Construction of the interstates in the 1960s contributed to the growth of Greater Columbus, which has seen its population double since I-70 and I-71 rose over the Scioto River and the neighborhoods in the middle of the city, DeWine said. But as use of the interstate highways grew, so did crashes.

The new ramps should give drivers a safer way to merge onto and leave the highways, officials said at Wednesday’s conference.

Changes are planned for Interstates 70/71 in Downtown Columbus.
The work is part of an ongoing campaign to upgrade roads and bridges throughout Ohio at a cost of around $900 million. The downtown work will cost roughly $280 million.

The work is projected to take three and a half years.

This section of I-70 that runs through Downtown Columbus sees around 900 crashes a year, according to ODOT figures.

Changes are planned for Interstates 70/71 in Downtown Columbus.
“A lot of us have driven white-knuckled through the Columbus Crossroads,”  said William Murdock, executive director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. “This will make you feel safer.”

pcooley@dispatch.com
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on March 10, 2022, 11:14:20 AM
https://www.10tv.com/amp/article/traffic/next-phase-of-downtown-columbus-i-7071-construction/530-98d01278-d4ff-4a59-b94a-85f1d7e179b2

Slightly less detail than the Dispatch article
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on March 10, 2022, 10:00:44 PM
When was "Pax Split", anyway? The time when it was actually settled for a little while and not a mess somehow. 1975-1980?
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on March 11, 2022, 12:31:59 AM
When was "Pax Split", anyway? The time when it was actually settled for a little while and not a mess somehow. 1975-1980?

Pax Split?
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on March 11, 2022, 08:49:42 AM
Like Pax Americana:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pax_Americana (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pax_Americana)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on March 12, 2022, 11:50:53 AM
Like Pax Americana:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pax_Americana (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pax_Americana)

Oh. I'd say 1964-72 with the original Mound-Sandusky interchange then.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on March 12, 2022, 09:07:24 PM
That's not the Split era though, that's just Mound-Sandusky and later I-71 by itself.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on March 14, 2022, 03:05:24 PM
I'd say Pax Split began when Mound—Sandusky v2 was completed, and ended in the late 90s when ODOT was beginning to feel the need to make improvements.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on March 14, 2022, 08:54:32 PM
I remember I moved away in 1999 and by the time I moved back to town in 2005 the Split was much worse traffic- and crash-wise
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: carbaugh2 on September 19, 2022, 07:46:33 PM
It appears Phase 3B of the project is in its closing stages. For those who have lost track (myself included), this portion of the project covers 71 between the East split and the 670 interchange. Northbound 71 was closed over the weekend, and I believe the southbound lanes will be closed over the next few nights. Here are some highlights of what I saw this morning.

The merge coming out of the split turns into 4 lanes, with a dedicated lane for the Broad St exit.
The line of BGSs for the Broad St exit and 670 advance warning shows the contrast between Clearview and standard fonts. It’s a lot easier to understand the distaste for Clearview in a side by side comparison.
There are 2 through lanes, an option lane, and an exit lane for 670.
The awkward Right Lane Ends sign that was covered has not been removed. The area is still missing an advance sign for the 11th Ave exit.

I’m thankful that my commute is early enough that I don’t have to worry about the weave from those coming from the 70 eastbound lanes to get on 670. This highlights the need to complete the redo on the East Split.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on November 26, 2022, 12:54:17 PM
On Wednesday I was able to get some drone footage of the West Split.

Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on November 26, 2022, 01:24:11 PM
Nice!
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on December 09, 2022, 04:51:31 PM
I’ve seen the renderings of the finished project, but seeing the bridge supports being erected really gives you a sense of the scale of this thing. The flyover from downtown to I-71 south has one 80 feet (!) tall, which should be awesome in snow or ice.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: GCrites80s on December 09, 2022, 06:54:15 PM
Yeah it's tall even without the girders, decking or barriers up.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: TempoNick on December 20, 2022, 01:01:11 AM
I’ve seen the renderings of the finished project, but seeing the bridge supports being erected really gives you a sense of the scale of this thing. The flyover from downtown to I-71 south has one 80 feet (!) tall, which should be awesome in snow or ice.

I was on a real tall flyover in Miami once and it wasn't fun.

I still think they should have reworked I-670 for I-71. It would have made the work on I-70 a lot more simple.

It looks nice, but compared to some of the freeway's in other states, they could have done more with the curb appeal. Peoria, Green Bay, Des Moines and Denver have especially nice aesthetics. I like Peoria and Denver the best.
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: 6a on February 28, 2023, 05:06:34 AM
Posted yesterday by the Vivid Columbus Facebook page:
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230228/9dca612cceab272f000562568462b522.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230228/3ebb027c1b304b3a62215a4d839a5e43.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230228/7b6bff84be4a1940c6c9d8f2187339b2.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230228/ac28a09fd4db3eec025672876ee95190.jpg)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: TempoNick on March 30, 2023, 01:31:11 PM
Dispatch photo:


(https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2023/03/28/NCOD/6e9426d2-efd3-47c3-ae9b-06772ef3b8a6-regional_transportation_ac_02.JPG?width=1320&height=880&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: vtk on January 12, 2024, 02:50:42 PM
The editing makes it hard to study for details, but here's YouTube Short by ODOT showing the last several months of progress:

Not a valid youtube URLhttps://youtube.com/shorts/zCJV18IVOVc?si=WtdOdakW4QWJitG_ (https://youtube.com/shorts/zCJV18IVOVc?si=WtdOdakW4QWJitG_)
Title: Re: I-70/71 Columbus Crossroads
Post by: KelleyCook on January 12, 2024, 03:21:06 PM
It looks nice, but compared to some of the freeway's in other states, they could have done more with the curb appeal. Peoria, Green Bay, Des Moines and Denver have especially nice aesthetics. I like Peoria and Denver the best.

All they had to do was to spy on their neighbors to the north.

I-75 from 8 mile to 12 mile (actually all the way to Square Lake Rd in Bloomfield) should be a lesson on how to reconfigure an urban freeway to both flow better -- especially the new braided entrance ramp coming from I-696 -- and getting a facelift to now look surprisingly nice.