The ramp from I-70 eastbound to U.S. 68 northbound is also closed and will remain that way until early July 2021. For a detour, ODOT is asking drivers to take I-70 eastbound to S.R. 72 and follow the signs to I-70 westbound to U.S. 68 northbound.
“The left-lane of I-70 eastbound has shifted onto I-70 westbound pavement. The right lane of I-70 eastbound has shifted onto the interior portion of the eastbound pavement,” according to a construction update posted by ODOT. “Two westbound and two eastbound lanes will remain open.”
Mandi Dillion, public information officer for ODOT, said the project is scheduled to be completed on time, despite a ramp closure delay in March due to weather.
“This project is still on track to be completed in the fall of 2021,” Dillion said.
The long-planned project to widen I-70 and improve safety between U.S. 68 began in July 2018 — but the project had been discussed since 2002 — as Springfield is the lone area where traffic drops to two lanes in the stretch between Dayton and Columbus.
Phase one of the project was completed in the fall of 2015. The $18 million phase one of the project, from Enon to U.S. 68, added a third lane in each direction of the 3.8-mile stretch of I-70 and took nearly a year-and-a-half to complete.
Phase two of the project, which costs $43 million and is currently underway, includes adding a lane in the east and westbound lanes for 3.46 miles between S.R. 72 and U.S. 68, redoing the existing four lanes and replacing six aging bridges.
According to ODOT, roughly 65,000 to 70,000 motorists use that stretch of I-70 daily.
Once completed, the roadway section will have three 12-foot lanes and a 12-foot inside and outside shoulder in each direction.
More information on the lane traffic shift and the ramp closure can be found on ODOT’s website.
Facts & Figures
$43 million: Cost of phase two of I-70 expansion project
2021: Year project expected to be completed
65,000-70,000: Motorists who travel I-70 in Clark County daily
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