I-71 Widening: Columbus to Cincinnati

[webny99]

With I-71 now being fully six-laned north of Columbus, focus now shifts to the remaining four lane sections of I-71 southwest of Columbus. I don't see a thread for this yet so I figured we could track updates here.

Below is the current state of I-71 from south to north between the Cincinnati and Columbus beltways.

Exit 17 (I-275) to Exit 24 (Western Row Rd) [6 miles]: 8 lanes
Exit 24 (Western Row Rd) to Exit 28 (OH 48) [5 miles]: 6 lanes
Exit 28 (OH 48) to Fayette/Greene Co Line [33 miles]: 4 lanes
Fayette/Greene Co Line to MM 71 (Hidy Rd) [9.5 miles]: 6 lanes
MM 71 (Hidy Rd) to MM 80 (OH 323) [9 miles]: 4 lanes
MM 80 (OH 323) to Franklin/Pickaway Co Line [11 miles]: 4 lanes (widening under construction)
Franklin/Pickaway Co Line to Exit 101 (I-270) [10.5 miles]: 6 lanes

Total length: 84 miles
Total 4 lanes: 53 miles (63%)
Total 6+ lanes: 31 miles (37%)

The current 11-mile widening project from OH 323 to the Franklin County line is what I consider to be the "tipping point" project, as it will bring the six lane mileage to exactly 50% (42 miles) when complete. The next logical widening project would be the nine-mile gap from MM 71 to MM 80, which would complete widening on the Columbus half, leaving a single 33-mile gap between South Lebanon and the Fayette County line which is likely to require several more projects to complete.

[TempoNick]

You don't get any argument from me. I've always found that gap between Columbus and US 35 bothersome. Especially when some FedEx truck is hogging the left lane and slowing everybody up.