Posted on October 24, 2011 by Ohio Department of Transportation

Beginning at 8 p.m. tonight, the following ramps will be closed as part of the I-71/670 Columbus Crossroads project. If travelling in downtown Columbus, we encourage you to plan ahead and consider the alternate routes listed below. Please remember to allow extra time for your commute. Also consider sharing a ride or taking the bus.     

CLOSED: Entrance Ramp from Broad Street to I-71 North and I-670 West

Detour: Broad Street west to 4th, north to I-670 east to I-71 north

Reason: To allow two through lanes of traffic during construction and provide safe, adequate room for the construction workers. Once the first project is complete, there will be three lanes of traffic in both directions on I-71.

Reopening: 2013

CLOSED: Exit Ramp from I-71 North to I-670 West
    
Detour: I-70 west to 315 north   
Reason: To begin construction of a "crossover" -
a shift in the I-670 travel pattern. The crossover will
allow crews to get construction underway sooner, safely and more efficiently.
Reopening: November 2012

CLOSED: Entrance Ramp from Jack Gibbs Boulevard to I-670 West  

Detour: Cleveland Avenue south to Mount Vernon Avenue, west to 4th Street, north to I-670 west. Another detour is north on Cleveland Avenue, west on 5th Avenue to I-670 west.   
Reason: To begin construction of a "crossover" -
a shift in the I-670 travel pattern. The crossover will
allow crews to get construction underway sooner, safely and more efficiently.

Reopening: November 2012

 Attention Drivers: 

While traveling through the I-71/670 construction zone, you will notice that the highway lanes are slightly narrower than you are used to. Highway lanes are typically 12 feet wide, however, some lanes in the construction zone will be 11 feet wide with a one-foot space between the outside lane and the barrier wall.

Narrowing these lanes allows construction crews to work safely while traffic is moving in the nearby travel lanes. The concrete barrier wall is a protective measure for both the driver and construction crews. Please follow the posted speed limit and use caution when driving through the construction zone.

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Nancy Burton

• From I-71 south, take the Main Street exit and go east on Main to Parsons Avenue.  

• From I-71 north, take the Broad Street exit and go right, or east, to Parsons Avenue.

• Access the I-71 north ramp directly from Parsons Avenue between Mooberry and Main Street. 

• Access I-71 south from Parsons Avenue by going west on Main Street and turning south onto the entrance ramp.

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Nancy Burton

From about 11 pm - 5 am Monday night through Wednesday, weather permitting, I-71 south will be reduced to one lane from 5th Ave to Broad Street so that crews can restripe lanes and install portable concrete barriers. From about
8 pm - 5 am tonight through at least Wednesday, Spring Street will also be reduced to one lane from Hamilton Avenue to Jefferson Avenue for barrier installation.

Get up-to-date traffic and construction information 24/7/365 as well as information about the I-70/I-71 Corridor at www.odot71670.org. 

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Nancy Burton

As part of ODOT's Columbus Crossroads project, a $200 million interstate and neighborhood improvement project, traffic patterns on Interstate 71 south are changing. Crews restriped I-71 south last night. Now there are two lanes on the left for I-71 south. One of those lanes used to be the exit-only lane for Spring Street, but since that exit closed on Sept. 28 the lane will now be for thru-traffic.

If you want to access I-670, there will also be two lanes on the right, although you won't notice the two lanes until after you pass the exit at 11th Avenue.

Posted by Melissa Ricksecker on September 23, 2011

By now you may have seen or heard the media splash about the upcoming Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) I-71/670 construction project that is getting underway now. The Discovery District Development Corp (DDDC) invites you to learn more about this project - and how to be ready - directly from the experts who can help your company prepare for one of Central Ohio's largest roadway construction projects ever. We hope you will be able to attend one of these upcoming information sessions.

• MORPC will host an information session for downtown businesses on September 26 from 3 to 4:30p.m. at the Vern Riffe Building, 31^st floor conference room. Public parking is available in the attached Riffe Center garage which may be entered from Front St., or in the Statehouse parking garage which is connected to the Riffe Center via an underground walkway. Additionally, several parking garages and lots are within a two-to-four-block walking area.

RSVP to Lynn Robinson at lrobinson@morpc.org if you wish to attend this session.

• On October 13 at 7:30 a.m., members of the ODOT I-71/670 Design Build Team will address the DDDC membership at our monthly meeting. The meeting will take place at State Auto Insurance Company, 518 E. Broad St., in first floor conference room. Parking is available in the visitors' lots at the north entrance of the building (enter lot from Washington St.).

RSVP to Missy Ricksecker at missy.ricksecker@cmaohio.org if you will be attending this presentation.

 Agenda:

ODOT will outline details of the project and how your employees, customers, and patrons can stay in the know. MORPC, COTA and Consider Biking will be there to explain other travel options, and how to tailor transportation plans that meet the unique needs of your employees and visitors.

Posted by Melanie Houston, on behalf of ODOT, on September 16, 2011

It is difficult to predict how travel times will be affected, so ODOT advises you to plan ahead: map out alternate routes to reach your destinations, and consider leaving your car at home at least one or two days a week by taking the bus, sharing a ride or riding your bike to local destinations. You might also approach your employer about working from home from time to time, or adjusting your schedule so your commute does not occur during peak travel times in the morning and evening.  

Posted by Melanie Houston, on behalf of ODOT, on September 14, 2011

The first lane restriction will begin in mid-September, followed by a number of ramp closures in late September and through October. Once confirmed, ODOT will announce specific dates to the public and post them on www.odot71670.org every time there is a restriction or closure. *   

ODOT will also post extensive signage to show drivers the way around closed ramps and exits. They will provide advance notice to the local media and regularly post updates at www.odot71670.org. Two travel lanes will be maintained on I-71 and I-670 throughout construction, with just a few exceptions when heavy bridge beams must be put in place during overnight hours. *All work is weather dependent; it may be postponed or cancelled without prior notice.

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Melissa Ferguson

Experience the new CMA! On January 1, 2011, the Columbus Museum of Art unveiled renovations made to its 1931 Italian Renaissance Revival building, now named the Elizabeth M. and Richard M. Ross Building, and new Center for Creativity. Along with the renovations, CMA also unveiled a new visitor-centered experience.

The renovation project included:

• Transforming Derby Court by raising the floor to improve accessibility, installing a luminous skylight, and improving acoustics.
• Reimagining the entire first floor as a Center for Creativity
• Renovating, installing new seating, and improving acoustics in the auditorium.
• Performing upgrades to make the building more accessible for all visitors
• Upgrading heating, ventilation, humidity control, and air conditioning systems
• Upgrading lighting throughout, especially in the galleries
• Reconditioning all hardwood, terrazzo, and marble walls, ceilings, and floors
• Restoring original decorative building features

The rejuvenated galleries feature beloved masterpieces dynamically presented in a new thematic context. The overarching theme for the reinstallation of the Museum's permanent collection is "Creative Change." It highlights the changes that have influenced art from the Renaissance until today and focuses attention around specific strengths of the collection. The galleries are more visitor-centered, with many new interactive elements to engage visitors by making connections with the art works on display. 

Building renovations were made possible by funds raised through the Art Matters Endowment and Capital Campaign. To date, CMA has raised $51.5 million for the ongoing Art Matters campaign which will help CMA achieve three goals: sustainability, competitiveness, and public value.

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Pat Shannon

Thurber House is offering buy one, get one free tickets to the upcoming special event with Suze Orman on Wednesday March 16, at 7:00 pm at COSI.

Suze Orman will be talking about her first new book in four years, The Money Class: Learn to Create Your New American Dream. A two-time Emmy Award-winning television host, New York Times mega bestselling author, magazine and online columnist, writer/producer, and one of the top motivational speakers in the world today, Orman is undeniably America's most recognized expert on personal finance. She is the contributing editor to "O" The Oprah Magazine, the Costco Connection Magazine and for the last nine years host of the award winning Suze Orman Show, which airs every Saturday night on CNBC. Orman is also the winner of seven Gracie awards, more than anyone in the 35-year history of this prestigious award. The Gracies recognize the nation's best radio, television, and cable programming for, by, and about women.

For more information, go to http://www.thurberhouse.org/a-special-evening-with-suze-orman.html.  This is a limited offer and is only available by calling Thurber House at 614-464-1032 ext. 11.  Ticket price of $35 includes parking in the COSI parking lot.

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Carol Zelizer

A project as big as the $1.7 billion - 15 year- I-70/71 construction project is bound to affect historic buildings and districts abutting the improvement - or so you would think.  ODOT concluded that aside from direct impacts where buildings are removed (ET Paul and Carabar) or clearly impacted by noise and vibration (Shiloh Baptist Church), there were no other adverse effects caused such properties.  Several area organizations disputed the ODOT findings by pointing out that the project introduces "new transportation elements into the existing landscape" - Lester Drive and Elijah Pierce Boulevard - and "visual, atmospheric or audible elements that diminish the integrity of the property's historic features (Federal regulations)." The Ohio Historical Society as the area's SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) concurred with ODOT and, not unexpectedly, the Federal Highway Administration concurred with them as well.

Indeed, this project will expand the freeway trench from 6 to 10 lanes of traffic introducing more traffic, noise, and pollution to the area.  In order to expand the trench, vegetation currently abutting the freeway will be removed and replaced with perpendicular retaining walls.  Whatever pedestrian character exists in portions of the project area (i.e. the East Town Street Historic District) may be strained by the introduction of new streets, not currently there, and the further separation of neighborhoods that were once intact.

Why do FHWA and ODOT, as its agent, want findings of "no adverse effect?"  Because, the law requires that adverse effects be "mitigated" and that means flexibility in dealing with the community and money to make things better.  The almighty dollar rears its ugly head.

While ODOT takes great strides in making sure every "T" is crossed and every "I" is dotted in complying with the federal guidelines concerning this project (with excruciatingly technical data in support of its findings), some people feel it would be more helpful if ODOT would stand back, open its eyes and see what is really happening to the City's downtown neighborhoods affected by this project.

Please plan to attend a media event with Mayor Michael B. Coleman and Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa C. Long to officially kick off Columbus Art Walks!

Thank you for your participation in creating Columbus Art Walks. The project continues to be a success with the Discovery District map printed in June and the State House and Arena District maps coming this fall.  Your participation was instrumental in highlighting great art, history and stories about our city of Columbus!

When: Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 2 p.m.

Where: State Auto Insurance Building 518 E. Broad Street

             Mural of A Street Called Home by Aminah Robinson

             at Washington Ave and Boone Street

The Columbus Public Health Department has recently published a walking map of public art attractions in the Discovery District. Click here to view the newly released map or contact the Discovery Special Improvement District at 614-645-5256 to request hard copies of the map.  

The map was created with support from the Columbus Landmarks Foundation, Neighborhood Design Center, Greater Columbus Arts Council, Discovery Special Improvement District, Create Columbus Commission, American Institute of Architects Columbus, and the Columbus Historical Society.  

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) determined many years ago that the spaghetti which constitutes our current 70/71/670 downtown freeways is massively underperforming and a huge safety hazard for drivers traversing their way near and through the City's central core.

Their solution?  A complete overhaul of miles of  freeway "trench," and on and off ramps, the reworking of collector and distributor streets (sounds absolutely sterile doesn't it?) and 13, count 'em, 13 new bridge crossings. 

This construction is huge.  Big in money - $1.7 billion, as of this printing, and rising - and big in time - Phases 1-6 to take as long as 10 years into the future.

The neighborhoods to the east and south of downtown will be most affected and that means thousands of people will be inconvenienced, hassled and, minimally, rerouted for the foreseeable future.  I can see the road rage now.

But this is not simply an attempt by ODOT to re-build a system that has outlived its usefulness (a system designed 50 years ago to move up to 125,000 cars daily now contends with more than 175,000 cars and spawns as many as 3 or 4 accidents daily). This is an opportunity as well. 

"An opportunity?" you say.  "Yes," resoundingly.

Listen up -  $1.7 billion is going to be put into the infrastructure serving our downtown.  What we do now will affect the face of downtown for generations to come.  So, now is the time to hang on every word that ODOT and the City say about this construction.  Now is the time to make downtown more accessible, more walkable, more inviting.  Now is the time to reconnect the downtown to neighborhoods that were severed by the construction in the 60's in the name of urban renewal.  Now, folks, is the time to pay attention and get involved.

To date, many affected downtown residents and workers are making themselves heard through individual organizations (of which there are many) and their specific needs.  But who is championing the cause of downtown as a whole?  Who is sitting at the table with ODOT to make sure there will be a commitment to comprehensive, high quality improvement throughout?  Who is trying to garner every single dollar possible for this project?

You may answer the City.  And you would be right.  The development department, the public safety department, and the parks and recreation department, as well as City Council, all have a hand in shaping the construction and its effect on downtown - whether for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and mass transit..

And the City is doing its job.  But, the City shouldn't be alone in negotiating with ODOT and that is why the Discovery Special Improvement District has formed a new Neighborhood Advisory Group, comprised of representatives of over 10 area groups to address the neighborhood issues raised by this construction.

The group's mission: to keep the neighborhoods informed of ODOT's progress; to focus on what is achievable, to get as many resources from ODOT as possible to make the street improvements desirable and not just "traversable";  and to ensure that the improvements are consistent and comprehensive throughout all affected neighborhoods.

I believe ODOT and the City want to do the "right thing"   Conversations had with many people suggest that.  But because money and time are constant constraints, trade-offs will need to be made.  We want to have an input in the multitude of choices that come with a construction of this magnitude.

Look for more information in the coming weeks and months about the specifics of the construction - What are the "Urban Avenues?"  What are Complete Streets?   Will they be inviting, pedestrian and bicycle safe, with slow moving traffic?  Will the reconstructed bridges look like the CAP over High Street leading to the Short North?  What are the implications of such an improvement on the historic districts surrounding downtown?   The questions are endless; the answers, yet to be determined.

The big question?   Will the result of $1.7 billion and years of planning and construction just look like another plate of spaghetti?

Let's hope not.