Starting from Monday, drivers in the Columbus metropolitan area will have to get used to a new reality: two strategically important overpasses on I-480 will be closed at least until the fall, which is already causing concern among daily commuters.
As part of a major transportation infrastructure upgrade initiative, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced that the eastbound exit from I-480 to I-77 north will close on Monday, while the westbound exit from I-480 to I-77 south will close the following day. Restoration of traffic flow on both directions is not expected before September.
Daily routine under threat
For local residents like Tam Vishnevskaya, the news about the closures became an alarming warning several months ago. Together with her husband, she regularly uses these exits for trips from the suburb of Parma to the busy Tremont area.
"I immediately called my husband: 'Oh no, what are we going to do now?'" — she recalls. Her concerns are shared by about 16,000 other drivers who use these routes daily.
Concerns about traffic jams are well-founded. According to estimates by ODOT, detour routes and additional traffic will significantly increase travel times, especially during rush hours.
Repair that cannot be delayed
Despite the inconveniences, the transportation department emphasizes that the closures are critically necessary. "Anyone driving over these bridges can see their condition, — says Brent Kovach, ODOT representative. — Potholes, cracks — the situation requires immediate intervention".
The current work includes a complete replacement of the road surface on both overpasses. Ongoing repairs that do not involve full closure would prolong the project for years, which would mean even greater discomfort for drivers.
Detour strategy and "green waves"
To mitigate the impact of the closures, authorities will reprogram traffic lights on Transportation Boulevard to optimize traffic flow. Additionally, the previously closed exit to Brook Park Road will be reopened, providing an alternative access for motorists.
Eastbound drivers will need to exit onto Transportation Boulevard, turn around, and re-enter I-480 to access I-77. Those heading west will need to use the detour via Brook Park Road.
Adapting to new realities
Tam Vishnevskaya is already planning appropriate changes to her daily routine. "Now I will definitely allow more time for the trip and probably start packing things in advance to avoid stress," she says.
Although challenges are inevitable, transportation officials hope that a little patience now will help avoid even more serious problems in the future. After all, this project is just part of a broader initiative to modernize key transportation hubs in the region in anticipation of even larger reconstructions scheduled for 2026.
