I-70.org >> Far East Freeway Study: Home > Public Comments
 

"It would be very nice to connect Taylor Rd North and South of I-70 as well as have a entrance ramp to I-70W. Shopping traffic and light design on 256 is terrible from Taylor Rd." Joe DeBellis, Reynoldsburg (1/01/07) 

"Living in Pickerington it can take me 30-45 minutes to make the 2 mile trek down Rt. 256. It would be nice to see some improvement made to reduce the time spent on Rt. 256 every day." Ann Carnes, Pickerington (10/26/06)

“I like the plan discussed on the website converting the 256 interchange into a SPUI as well as the restructuring of the Brice Road interchange. I also support any restructuring of the I-270 interchange to remove the cloverleaves similar to how I-270 / I-71 is being done now. I also support more major construction more like I-270 / 161 if that will more greatly improve traffic flow in the future. As far as I am concerned, the more we do now the longer it will last. This is a very high traffic area during rush hour and I think it should be made a high priority only under the I-71 / I-70 split.” Ian Francis, Columbus (10/16/06)

"Please consider adding some "Watch for Stopped Traffic" signs in the area (also on I-270 Southbound approaching the I-70 interchange) to alert motorists to the potential of stopped traffic at the interchanges." Doug Bender, Canal Winchester (9/08/06)

"May be able to save money by keeping I-70 wb to I-270 sb loop instead of making 2 flyovers. With the one loop closed, the remaining loop would be able to flow unabated into it's own sb lane. Also, restrict Brice to I-70 wb merge until AFTER I-270 overpass, to enable entering traffic to get up to highway speed." Terry Egan, Pickerington (8/30/06)

"I think a bypass is desperately needed between downtown and SR256. Or have the interstate separated with barriers like we have on 270 for people who are entering and exiting I70, that way it doesn't mess with the flow of traffic that is going through. It gets really frustrating sitting at a dead stop on the freeway day after day after day when there is no accident, just people getting on and off the freeway. I can have a 20 minute drive turn into an hour drive on some days." Beth Tabor, Pickerington resident (4/04/06)

"Semi trucks tend to start passing each other around the SR 256 area and around where 70 east turns into 2 lanes. If traffic was 3 lanes on the whole road trucks would not be such a problem. When trucks are changing lanes on a 2 lane road often is when i feel the least comfortable when driving." Westerville resident (2/04/06)

"Volume of traffic, ineffective on and off ramps and splits create nightmare and many accidents. Also, in amount of out of state travel I do, I have yet to see another 4 lane highway drop to 1 to get cross town. Both 70 and 71 do this. Totally crazy." Julie Engle, Pickerington (11/22/05)

"Traffic gets tied up at the left turn light on Brice Rd to get on I-70 West. Adding an exit ramp to the right would reduce the congestion. Or perhaps separating Brice Rd on ramp at I-70 West may reduce some merging problems. Currently, entering 70W from Brice Rd causes congestion because most drivers want to get over and not take the 270 exit." Didem Endaz, Canal Winchester (11/07/05)

"Need To make 270 southbound onto 70 east an exit ramp only. Need a separate ramp for 70 westbound vehicles to get to 270 South. To many trucks and accidents and delays. Maybe stop semi trucks going 70 W to 270 S during rush hours." Mike Rosler, Pickerington (9/12/05)

"Please keep in mind that improving access to Taylor Road and 256 from I-70 would greatly improve the congestion on Main Street and Broad Street east of I-270. This would provide an alternate route for the growing traffic heading to the Waggoner/Talyor areas and Pataskala. I can't imagine how bad traffic is going to be in this area by 2012." Kevin Gipe, Reynoldsburg (9/02/05)

"In regard to the Far East Freeway Study, I would like to see Taylor Rd connected across/over I-70. Also I would really appreciate someway for bicycles/pedestrians to get from the south side to the north side of I-70 safely. Taylor Rd might work better for that but any place in that area would be good." Peggy Portier, East Side Resident (8/15/05)

"Get rid of the cloverleaf loop. Whatever idiot engineer approved that must've been on drugs. Pretty from an aerial view but impractical (and dangerous) to drive. Just slows down traffic even more. More cops on the road to ticket those slow drivers in the left lane who refuse to get over. They hold up all the traffic behind them. That's why we need a paying fast lane or more lanes like in other metropolitan cities." Reynoldsburg Resident (8/10/05)

“It almost goes without saying, that since this eastern stretch of I-70 is a dangerous and now-overloaded traffic system, that the speed limits between downtown and Pickerington on I-70 in both directions, have to be lowered to a uniform 55.  You now have an urban interstate in this part of the system, and why motorists are permitted at any time to enjoy a 65 mph limit on it is a mystery to me.   Fewer collisions will happen when you lower the speed limit and enforce it stringently.” Adam Dydak, Columbus (8/08/05)

"I live off Gender rd between I-70 and US-33. It takes about the same time/distance to get to downtown going either way (absent traffic congestion). I usually take 33 because I-70 is often slower because of the congestion at I-270. Immediately adding a lane (in the median) between Hamilton rd and Brice rd would help in the short term until this project can be completed more than seven years from now." John Wooldridge, Canal Winchester (8/08/05)

"By making Taylor Road an interchange you haven't improved anything. a lot of traffic comes in Rt204 that a new interchange at Tollgate & I-70 would eliminate and give new commercial development on East Main Street Freeway access earlier than at 256 or Taylor Road. Taylor Rd also has a new School opening soon causing more safety of children a big concern." David Jewell, Pickerington (8/04/05)

"Would like to encourage ODOT to expand the project to go even farther east than Route 256. Improvements should take into consideration all the new & projected growth east of 256 out to Route 310." Sue Yehling, Reynoldsburg (8/03/05)

"We should never think of connecting Taylor Road directly to I-70. People live there. Taylor Road is a residential street. Some homeowners remember contributing their own money to tar the old dirt road. My house has been there since 1841. All those properties would be destroyed. Even if thousands of us could use Taylor Road to shave a few minutes off our commute it wouldn’t come close to being worth it if one first-grader from the elementary school was injured or killed." Reynoldsburg Resident (8/03/05)

"The biggest issue I see is the slow between Hamilton and 270 going EB people slow down due to the far right lane turning into an exit only reducing from three to two lanes. I leave for work at 6:30A.M. and leave from work at 3:30 P.M." Chris Gainer, Reynoldsburg (7/28/05)

"Traffic backup waiting to get on I-70 and getting off 70 onto Northbound 256, need continuous turn northbound." Bob and Delores Trivett, Reynoldsburg (7/28/05)

"I don't drive it because it is such a mess. I take Main Street into Reynoldsburg." Amy Hildebrand, Reynoldsburg (7/28/05)

"This project does not stop at the highway, there is a bigger problem that puts all of the focus on the highway system. The major underlying issue in the far East Highway system is the fact that there are not adequate underbuilt roads in and out of the Pickerington/Reynoldsburg area." Dwayne Stradford, New Albany (7/26/05)

"Please build another lane in each direction." Andrew McClain, Reynoldsburg (7/25/05)

"I would like to suggest that you eliminate the US33/I-70 interchange and redirect these resources into upgrading the James Rd./I-70 interchange." J. Michael Byrd of Columbus (7/25/05)

"As a driver on this section of the highway for the past 7 years, it has gotten worse! During the AM hours (6:45-8:30AM) the worst areas are SR256-I270, during the PM hours (4-6PM) the worst areas are from James Rd to Brice, and on occasion all the way to SR256. I personally have been rear-ended heading East on I-70 at the Hamilton IC at 5:30PM. I would highly recommend the approach to have Pass-Through lanes for E/W bound lanes starting/stopping east of Brice by 1/2 and West of I-270 by 1/2." Charles McCluskey, Pickerington (7/24/05)

"I would like to see one of two things be considered. 1.) Express lanes for travel east like the ones on I-270, 2.) Express lanes for east AND west bound traffic like they have from Washington D.C. to Richmond, VA: express lanes that travel in-bound in the morning, out-bound in the afternoon." Laurie Smith, Pataskala (7/22/05)

"Flow of traffic in the am off  Brice and onto 70 is absolutely horrible! people cut through the shopping strips to try and avoid sitting at the traffic lights... needs a lot of help!" Mark Dolder, Columbus (6/08/05)

"ODOT needs to start paying attention to the signage they install. So often they make mistakes by mismarking lanes and it often goes unfixed. Also, we have some of the worst signage in the nation. A lot of it is old and falling apart." Lewis Center Resident (4/25/05)

"One of the biggest problems is the traffic flow around the I-270 interchange, particularly east traffic backs up due to the loss of traffic lane." Glen Anderson, Reynoldsburg (4/20/05)

"(The interchange at) I-270 and I-70 are terrible.  The ramp onto I-270 west is very dangerous with large trucks trying to come up from I-70 west and cars and trucks already on I-270 trying to merge or exit onto I-70 east.  There is always a back up." Jeanette Farry, Reynoldsburg (3/25/05)

"Since the traffic and population will continue to increase, the older main roads should be updated and maintained to accommodate the ever growing need.  Some where along the way the state and cities need to work together to develop a rail or bus system to provide an area transportation system to improve the environment and save our energy supply." Wilbur Oard, Pickerington (3/22/04)

"I live in Zanesville and work at Battelle Memorial Institute, so I drive I-70 and 315 every day. The major portion of congestion seems to be between Hamilton Road and 310 (Pataskala exit) when Eastbound and 310 to 270 when Westbound." Melissa Durham, Zanesville (3/15/05)

"Problems are different depending on direction. Westbound is the lane changing traffic entering from 256 and Brice. Eastbound is the bottleneck 2-lanes leading into the area," Steve Higgs, Pataskala (3/15/05)

"I travel I-70 every day between Pickerington and downtown Columbus. The worst area of my commute is between Hamilton Road and SR256 due to all the merging traffic on the evening eastbound rush hour. If another (left hand) lane could be added at about Hamilton Road that would be for through traffic only past Brice Road, it would reduce the back up considerably. Those folks coming onto I-70 east from Hamilton through I-270 or those wishing to exit at I-270 or Brice could do so easier if some or most of the through traffic could be separated out of the existing lanes. As to the morning commute, the westbound Brice entrance at the I-270 ramps makes for a very dangerous area." Linda Kuhns, Pickerington (3/10/05)

"My biggest concern is the intersection of I-270 and I-70. I-270 south bound to I-70 east bound backs up tremendously. You are at a complete stop while traffic on both sides (lanes) continues to speed by. In one instance a semi almost rear ended me as he did not realize we were at a complete stop." Alan Searfoss, Pickerington (3/10/05)

"Of course I-70 through the area should be widened, but more importantly we need to have a set of lane barriers to isolate through traffic lanes (for commuters) from the interchange lanes, much like exists on I-270 in the vicinity of Main St. This will greatly reduce weaving and provide a smoother traffic flow to reduce accidents." Jason Gillmore, east side resident (3/09/05)

"Stand back and look at the big picture to see how area traffic bottlenecks are related. Taylor 256 and Brice areas bad and growing worse. Ease this with overpasses between Reynoldsburg and Pickerington (Taylor Rd, Tussing). Add Taylor Rd interchange, also Mink/Wagram Rd and maybe Scarborough/Tussing ramps. Add lane dividers on I-70 near Brice & 270 like on I-270 near Main, with additional dedicated through-lanes; same idea near James/33/Livingston to improve flow. Add more lanes out to Newark Rt. 13 exit." Reynoldsburg resident (3/09/05)

"In Pickerington, we really need another access point to I-70.  Exiting off I-70 to US 33 south is a problem with traffic stopped on I-70 for a 1/2 mile or more." Denise DeNunzio, Pickerington (3/07/05)

"East bound I-70. Add an express lane after US 33 exits keeping the criss cross to a minimum. Traffic that wants James, Hamilton and Brice should use the slow lanes. Utilize the I-270 exits to get cars that want the Brice Road exit to get them on the right side of the interchange. Make a connection at I-70 east/I-270 north exit and Tussing Road by JC Penny's outlet. Getting cars off I-70 earlier and out of the congestion of the Brice Road area." Marty Speiser, Canal Winchester (3/07/05)

"I liked the express lanes and additional Pickerington entrance ramp to I-70 ideas mentioned at the open house." John Eikenberry, Pickerington (3/09/05)

"Please put up a temporary lane barrier at the I-270 and I-70 merge to prevent cut-over drivers who "merge" into those who wait their turn." Jerry Winans, Pickerington (3/07/05)

"We need barriers installed immediately at the I-270 to I-70 east exit for a minimum of one mile to stop illegal, dangerous lane changing.  Add one more lane east and westbound on I-70 between Hamilton Road and SR 256." Jerry Denman, Reynoldsburg (3/07/05)

"Our daughter lives in northwest Columbus and twice in the last year has been stopped for over an hour on I-70 eastbound trying to reach SR 256 because of serious accidents ahead." Judy White, Pickerington (3/07/05)

"Please add cable barrier between east-west I-70 traffic lanes between SR 256 and James Road short term; long term redesign the interchanges." William Groves, Pickerington (3/07/05)

"It is imperative that three thru-lanes of traffic are available in both directions. This will fix the flow and therefore the accidents. Good Luck!" Pickerington Resident (3/07/05)

"Consider making two outside lanes (those closest to oncoming traffic) THRU LANES, separated by guardrail, like in upstate NY. Those people going further east, beyond SR256, could travel faster, and be out of way of local traffic slowing to exit or merge on to I70 East." Reynoldsburg Resident (3/06/05)

"Andrew Tobin is absolutely correct. Indianapolis does this with their downtown traffic. In the morning it's all 4 lanes one way, inbound to downtown traffic, then at noon it turns into outbound traffic. I don't know about Chicago, but when I was in Indianapolis I was amazed with the simplicity and brilliance of this decision. It's also no secret, that with the tight ''State Budget'', this is also the most economically prudent / feasible way to do this." Kevin Walsh, commuter (3/03/05)  

"I-70 Downtown to St. Rt 256  ... may be time to do like Chicago and add two or more lanes down the middle of the existing ones that in the morning time frame all lanes are used to go into downtown (west) and after like 12 noon all lanes exit downtown (east). There would be very few on or offs to these lanes." Andrew Tobin (3/01/05)

"Traffic congestion on Brice Road northbound at I-70 is having a significant negative impact on businesses in the area. The congestion is considered to be one of the primary reasons several retailers have been unsuccessful in the area, and have relocated away from the area, resulting in increased inconvenience and an increase in the shopping commutes for residents. The convergence of Brice and Gender Roads just south of the interchange is perhaps a primary reason for northbound congestion in the area, creating a bottleneck where commuters try to access the freeway or do business in the interchange commercial area." Columbus Commuter (2/23/05)

"I-70 should be an 8 lane freeway all the way into downtown & efforts should be made to make additional interchanges. Taylor Road needs to be connected & made an interchange. Maybe a limited interchange between Brice & 256. More roads running N-S over I-70 - it's ridiculous that there are no ways to cross 70 between Brice & 256 - that's 2.5 miles of heavily congested traffic." Pickerington Resident (2/01/05)

"I feel the best option would be to add by-pass lanes that do not have exits that stretch from east of SR256 to west of I-270 exits in both directions. Finding a way to re-route the Brice Rd and I-270 exit/entrance bottlenecks needs to be addressed as well." Kemp O'Dell, Newark (12/28/04)

"Congestion and construction citywide is absolutely horrendous, I'm late to work at least once a week and spend too much of my life of I-270. Currently I use Ste Rt 33 at Ebright Rd to 270N, instead of using Brice Rd/Gender Rd to 70W to 270 because of congestion. Rt 33 is just as bad anymore. Then I get hit with construction at 270N at 161E. I spend a good 3 hours a day in commute to and from work." Diana Kelly, Canal Winchester (12/08/04)

"Put in a bridge at new Pickerington Rt 204 exit so a west bound ramp could be added and fix I270 south bound to 70 east bound so traffic does not have share ramp with 70 west bound traffic heading south on 270" Brian Thomas, Pickerington (12/02/05)

"There needs to be at least one extra lane for through traffic from sr310. Also, could semis be required to take the outerbelt during rush hour. This would cut down on traffic through the downtown." Commuter (11/29/04)

"Add more lanes. Maybe a divider wall for driver not using Brice Road and 270." Todd Blair, Pataskala (11/24/04)

"Has there been any studies done on commuter rail between Pickerington and Columbus. There are rail lines in place, and to the best of my knowledge, only 4 freight trains a day use that route, between Columbus, and Huntington, WV. I'm sure the railroad would insist upon improved signaling, adding some passing sidings, etc." Phil Nichols, Marion (11/22/04)

"First, you guys should have done this when you redid I-70 several years ago :) Next, entrance and exit ramps MUST be added east of 256 and west of 310. Do it now before more building occurs and people whine louder. The area cannot survive with only the 256 / I-70 interchange. The idea above with another left turn lane from Brice onto westbound I-70 for only those traveling past I-270. Use existing Brice ramp for I-270 access only. Finally an expensive solution, but the I-270 / I-70 interchange needs flyover ramps. Please help." Todd Hoffman, Pickerington (11/03/04)

"Entrance and exit ramps cause a great deal of the problem. If the thru traffic could keep moving and not have to stop at every ramp area then the traffic would not be to horrible." Charlotte Ashcraft, Columbus (10/28/04)

"Can you at least make an express lane in the far left lane for through traffic?" Jim McNutt, Thornville (10/25/04)

"Get rid of the overlapping cloverleaf ramps. I-270 and 70 cannot handle the volume of traffic getting on and off if everyone is getting on/off at the same place! Its designed worse than the downtown split. The west side junction of 70/270 is MUCH better. Do the same on the east side." Jason Petchal, Columbus (10/14/04)

"Create another lane on the far left restricted to straight through traffic only (not exiting at Brice or I-270). There is adequate room there to allow for this lane and avoid many collisions due to traffic changing lanes trying to avoid the stopped traffic created by vehicles entering/exiting at 256, Brice and 270." Commuter (9/08/04)

"There are too few main north-south (especially) & east west corridors in the area. Also - all of your east-west corridors are only 2 lanes South of I-70 (Tussing/Refugee)." Pickerington Resident (9/3/04)

"I used to live in Reynoldsburg, so my doctors and family are still there. I try to avoid Brice Rd in favor of Main St. The clover leafs with I-70 & I-270 scare me. The 270S - 70E ramp backs up to Main St with stopped traffic on the freeway. I'm always afraid someone is going to pull out of that line into my path toward I-70W." Harrison Page, Grove City (8/20/04)

"ODOT was quite visionary in the past in regards to the construction of IH270. Planners saw that the proximity of Main Street to IH70 required that the heavy movements between the two facilities should occur outside of the through-flow of traffic...thus, we have the outside collector-distributor lanes we see today. It's too bad this vision wasn't applied to IH70, considering that the distance between IH270 and Brice Road is much shorter. I think, despite the obvious right-of-way constraints, a similar collector-distributor concept should be applied to IH70 between Hamilton Road and SR256. Much of the stop-and-go traffic and accidents can be eliminated if IH70 and IH270 movements to and from Brice Road occurred on independent ramps without weaving. Braided ramps may also be required between Brice Road and SR256...particularly if ramps at SR256 must be lengthened to account for traffic signal queuing and timing." Highway User (7/29/04)

"The SR 256 area congestion is partly due to the transferred businesses from the Brice Rd area along with the growing Pickerington and Licking County area. Plans need to get initiated soon before the rabid developers take all of the land needed for roadway improvements. Another well planned interchange is necessary further east off of I-70 along with improvements to the SR 310 interchange before the area becomes too congested and additional ROW expenditures are necessary for any project. This will require upgrades to existing county and state highways in the area. I'm a firm believer of placing the infrastructure (roads and utilities) first before buildings and shopping malls." Jeff Mickelson, Pickerington (7/27/04)

"From I270-S to I70-E there are many people cutting in so you have to watch for traffic entering on your right and high speed traffic cutting in on the left - I am surprised that there are not more accidents here. Police should really patrol this more. I need to get from I70-E and Brice to Tussing Rd E . To do this requires cutting across several lanes of traffic in a short distance which can be very difficult at any time of the day. At the same time traffic on Brice Rd South has to cut across incoming traffic from the I70 making it more difficult still." Pickerington Resident (7/21/04)

"Add 1 "thru traffic" lane, both directions, to 70. Add lane to the ramp onto 270N from 70W (this is backed up daily). Upgrade the ramp onto 70E from 270S (Major safety problem here. Someone is going to get killed if this is not addressed soon). This ramp probably needs a complete redesign due to the Brice Rd congestion. Perhaps fly-over ramp from 270S to 70E bringing traffic into the left hand lane further down from it's current entry point or something." Pickerington Resident (7/20/04)

"Make the eastbound entrance ramp from Hamilton Rd continuous to 270. I have noticed a lot of people getting on from Hamilton are trying to get on 270 and this will give them a lane do it in. Also, this gives those trying to get on 70 more time to merge into freeway traffic." Tom Gullickson, Pataskala (7/16/04)

"Four lanes from James Road to Buckeye Lake including 4 lanes under the 270 bridges would greatly help the flow of traffic, along with improved exits from Hamilton Road all the way out past Buckeye Lake." Reynoldsburg Resident (7/16/04)

"Be careful that you don't work so hard to Reduce Accidents that you cause more problems for those people who are using the road and can drive. Most of the time the accidents probably have nothing to do with the road." Nathan Huntwork, Pickerington (7/07/04)

"Additional lanes for thru to downtown traffic designated lanes for 270 north and south to merge." Doug McCanna, Somerset (5/28/04)

"People merging seem to be the biggest slow down. All on/off ramps slow traffic immeasurably. There has to be a better way to merge." Commuter (5/27/04)

"My suggestion would be: For the 256 - I-70 area, an interchange similar to the I-270 & SR 161 plan that will be constructed starting in June. This should remove the need of the traffic signals underneath I-70. As for Brice Rd. an interchange similar to the one at I-270 and Sawmill Rd. should help." Reynoldsburg Resident (5/27/04)

"To help ease traffic congestion, I suggest that the right lane of I-70 east be an exit only lane to SR256 or SR204. The left lane could be made the passing lane instead of ending. The right lane traffic slows to exit at both ramps to SR256. This requires traffic to slow and causes lane changes to the middle lane. At the same time the left lane traffic is merging to the middle lane due to the left lane ending. The semi-truck traffic generally use the right lane and many of the cars are darting around in the left and middle lanes to get in front of the semi-trucks and other vehicles. If implemented, the right lane exit only signage should begin at Gender/Brice Road to give the traffic time to get out of the right lane if not exiting." (5/26/04)

"Along with this study, noise barriers should also be considered." Jeffrey Tennant, Pickerington (5/26/04)

"I get on 70 from 310 and it will take me 30 minutes to get to 270N, so bad to the point where taking Main St to 270N is quicker. The big problem here is getting on 270N\S. I like the ideas of fly overs that you are doing with 161. Why can't we build fly overs from 270S to I70E? As far as getting on to 270N from I70W, good luck. I am interested to see what you come up with. Bottom line this area is growing and this should be a major concern." Tim Zimpfer, Pataskala (5/24/04)

"How about incorporating short underground tunnels for on/off access for Brice Road/I270, as is contemplated for the SR 161/Sunbury, etc. area?" Pickerington Resident (5/21/04)

"West-bound round well most mornings. East-bound is bottlenecked every evening coming into the area. Too much traffic attempts to change lanes east-bound at the 270 North-to-east ramp causing a criss-cross pattern. If that could be removed the flow would be better." Steve Higgs, Pataskala (5/20/04)

"Please do something to reduce the congestion!!!!!" Amber Wilson, Pickerington (5/19/04)

"The road system in Columbus is awful. Too many entrance ramps are also exit ramps. Has anyone ever thought of a frontage road system to ease getting on and off the freeway?" Pickerington Resident (5/19/04)

"I could take 70W to 270N every day to work, but I have found an alternate route because the rush hour traffic in this area is horrible!" Jean Canini, Pickerington (5/19/04)

"The ideal way to solve the problem of congestion at both 256 and Brice Rd. is to incorporate the express lanes concept as seen on 270 near the same area. At the Brice interchange, for example, WB 70 traffic merging from Brice Rd. would continue past the 270 ramps and merge onto 70 later, creating time for a more uniform traffic pattern. An interchange at Taylor Rd. will become mandatory in the near future, as well. The entire problem could be partially remedied immediately, though, if some sort of signage informed motorists that acceleration is necessary to merge successfully onto a freeway, that it cannot be done at 35 mph, and that they should not "panic" and attempt merge too early, thus slowing down a heavy merge even further." Jarrodd Johns, Columbus (5/18/04)

"Open extra paved lane between Frank. Co. line & 270 - more travel lanes needed!! Do divided hwy's-1 for access to 270 & 1 to go thru to downtown. Need more lanes eastbound between James & Brice areas. Reduce green space in medians-change to concrete barriers to reduce crossover accidents & open more lanes. Make it easier to get in & out of downtown on freeway." Reynoldsburg Commuter (5/16/04)

"The Brice & I 270 exchanges are too close! Much like the SR23 & 315 ramps, traffic has grown beyond the intended capacity. I appreciate "looking into it" but I'll appreciate a "expeditious fix" even more." Lisa Crawford, Canal Winchester (5/16/04)

"I would like to see ODOT help COTA bring bus service back to Pickerington." Andrew Campbell, Pickerington (5/13/04)

"An entrance ramp to get on the freeway at Taylor Rd. and Rt. 204 would greatly improve the traffic situation in Pickerington. If Federal regulations prohibit this solution, an entrance/exit ramp should be built at Mink Road. Pickerington is still 60% undeveloped and the traffic situation will continue to worsen as new development goes in. People heading south on 256 from Tussing Rd. have a tendency to continue through the light long after it has turned red, blocking the entire intersection and thus creating major traffic flow problems for the entire area. I-70 needs widened from 310 all the way through the downtown area. The entrance ramp onto I-70E from 270S is also in dire need of redesign." Vera Howard, Pickerington (5/12/04)

"EXPRESS LANES all the way to the county line!!!! Flyover ramps for Brice Exit. Additional lanes and stop the exit only lanes it only causes people to drive in them until the last minute then they weave over.  Also just build exit ramps from 270 that do not merge into 70 before Brice exit they should flyover Brice and then lower to freeway level and then merge that would end a lot of weaving." Grove City Resident (5/12/04)

"Congestion could be eased by adding an extra lane between 270 and 70, or wherever possible. Too many people are entering 70 east from 270 and only having two lanes after Hamilton Road does not help." Reynoldsburg Resident (5/12/04)

"Several years ago when they worked on I-70 I thought they were adding lanes. What a disappointment to see the completed project with the same number of lanes. I would also like to see freeway road construction with concrete instead of blacktop. Concrete lasts longer and with better driving surfaces." Pataskala Commuter (5/12/04)

"I-270 south to I-70 east exit is terrible! It would help if there was a barrier to keep the jerks from cutting in at the exit where I-70 West to I-270 south enters." Commuter (5/11/04)

"Would it be possible to connect the western end of State Route 204 at I-70 and State Route 256 with the eastern end of State Route 104 at U.S. Route 33? Routes 104 and 204 directly connected together with new highway might help serve as an alternate route, decreasing excess traffic elsewhere." John Butsko, Delaware (5/10/04)

"Create some internal express lanes with no exits/entrance ability to get from Hamilton Rd. to Rt. 256 or Rt. 310 - have designated lanes similar to those on 270 on east side of town or on 271 on east side of Cleveland." Mitch Wilson. Pickerington (5/10/04)

"Get rid of Exit Only Lanes!!!" Blake Bowen, Columbus (5/07/04)

"Although I applaud your consideration of this problem, if the home builders are allowed to continue at the rate they are now, this traffic flow problem will continue long term no matter what is done in the next few years. I’ve been in Pickerington for many years and watched Rt. 256 go from a two lane county road to the 5 lane bottleneck that it is now, and as long as builders are allowed to gobble up land unfettered; our schools and infrastructure will never keep up." John Kappes, Pickerington (5/06/04)

"Complete the overpass on Taylor Road and you would reduce congestion on 256 and Taylor Road A lot of the traffic is there just to get on the other side of the freeway. Also widen Taylor Road since it is so narrow and there is going to be a school there now." Pickerington Resident (5/06/04)

"I70W needs to have through traffic lane similar to that on I270 (by passing Broad & Main Exits.) People merging onto 70W from Brice Road should only merge left one lane, staying in the same lane as used for the 270 S exit, but continuing straight, then merging with 70W traffic - it's an easier merge. Berms do not need to be 1 1/2 lanes wide. There is clearly already enough room to widen. Add concrete separation barrier between east and west bound lanes." Kathy Corrigan, Pickerington (5/05/04)

"The biggest problem I have noticed over the past few years is between Brice road and I 270. One suggestion I would like to make is splitting up traffic before Brice road, more like express lanes for traffic straight through on I70. That would eliminate a lot of weaving between I270 and Brice road. That idea could also be extended to SR 256 if feasible, with only once chance to get across from one side to the other between Brice road and SR 256." Randall Racine, Blue Rock, OH. (5/05/04)

"It appears to me that wider entrance and exit ramps would definitely reduce congestion. Make the left two lanes thru lanes only." Josef Heller, Sr. (5/05/04)

"The lack of a building moratorium and increase in housing/rental boom by builders who have no regard or responsibility for the impact on an already overcrowded highway system (and school system) including 256/Brice/Refugee as well as I-70 and I-270 system. The traffic flow was greatly improved on Tussing and 256 when a Pickerington police officer was stationed at the intersection mornings to ticket those individuals who rudely block the intersection so no one gets through a green light." Gail Botz, Pickerington (5/04/04)

"An interchange at Mink Road would help. This would take some of the traffic off of the I70/256 interchange. I avoid that interchange as much as possible because of the congestion. It is not uncommon to see traffic backed up beyond Walmart on Taylor road and at least a quarter mile north on 256. When that happens, cars turning left from Taylor road often cannot because the intersection at Taylor Square is already full. Then it can take another ten minutes to move the 100 yards to the I70 on ramp." George Mohrbacher, Reynoldsburg (5/04/04)

"Would like to see an exit at Taylor Road." Allen Frederick, Reynoldsburg (5/04/04) 

"Would hope that interstate improvements would also improve conditions for those able to commute on local streets. Spend time waiting to get past traffic which is clogging up roads waiting to get on I-70." Anthony Barletta, Pickerington (5/03/04)

"The city should not allow growth to get so far ahead of resources, in particular, roads, freeways, and freeway access." Anonymous, Reynoldsburg (5/03/04)

"I would like to see an entrance ramp onto I-70 at exit 112C. This would reduce traffic on SR 256 and expedite traffic out of the area and make it easier getting into the flow of traffic with minimum problems." William Perry, Pickerington (5/03/04)

"I think that 2 extra travel lanes in each direction on I 70 could help from Alum Creek in Columbus to Rt. 310 in Licking County. The complete rebuilding of I 270/70 Interchanges would take away so much of the problem, it was designed for 1960 traffic, when Hamilton Rd. was beginning to grow, now we have to worry about the growth in Western Licking and Northern Fairfield Counties. I think add 2 lanes in each direction around the whole loop of 270 would help traffic flow in the area. Stop putting band aids on several problems, Fix it right the first time and be done with it." Gary DeLeon, Columbus (5/02/04)

"Something HAS to be done. We've lived here for 7 years and the problems have grown each year. I'm surprised it has taken this long to address the problem. It is an extremely dangerous situation that needs to be fixed immediately." Mike Butler, Pickerington (5/02/04)

"This issue is of utmost importance to me and I am extremely please to see that ODOT has finally recognized what a disaster I-70/270 on the east side is!!" Erik Benett, Pickerington (5/01/04)

"My problems are: A. In the morning: 1) Traffic delays in my getting onto to I-70 westbound from SR 204/256, 2) Traffic delays in my getting onto I-270 northbound from I-70 west bound (particularly delays caused by Brice Road traffic entering I-70 westbound crossing over with I-70 westbound traffic trying to get onto I-270), and B. In the evening 1) Traffic delays in my getting onto I-70 eastbound from I-270 southbound. Additionally, at a minimum there appears to be serious need for another full access Exit to I-70 between Exit 112 A,B & C and Exit 118. The current distance between Exits of six miles is much to far to accomodate the recent growth in population density in Pickerington/Violet Township and in Pataskala." Tim Pione, Pickerington (4/30/04)

"Have some continuous access ramps built to handle the flow of traffic in all four directions at the 3 interchanges involved." Richard Thomas, Columbus (4/30/04)

"Morning Problems (East bound I-70 & Brice) ...Adding a second lane of traffic from 1-70 West bound to I-270 Northbound would greatly reduce the queue that causes the morning back-up. Adding dedicated express lanes with a wall restriction would force a queuing system in the morning traffic for traffic headed to I-270. The morning problem stems from drivers trying to circumvent the queue by driving quickly up I-70 and darting at the last minute to make the I-270 on ramp. This causes an accordion effect and many accidents. Forcing the traffic entering from Brice road to merge onto I-70 after the Southbound I-270 ramp would allow traffic to flow more readily much like that of the entering traffic from southbound I-270 merging onto Eastbound I-70." David Guntrip, Reynoldsburg (4/30/04)

"There should be a COTA park-n-ride off 256 near the Wal-Mart complex, to reduce commuter traffic. Both Reynoldsburg and Pickerington residents would benefit." Joellen Gohr, Pickerington (4/29/04)

"Please consider installing a complete interchange at I-70 and Taylor Road to facilitate traffic to and from Reynoldsburg and the major shopping and residences located north of I-70 and East of SR 256." Ira Weiss, Pickerington (4/29/04)

"Bottom line--freeways and streets should be developed as the area grows. If you build 500 unit development, build roads to accommodate the 500 cars that will come along with it. I live off Gender Rd. and it's simply horrible. It can take less than 5 minutes to get to 70 or 30 minutes take your pick." Sheila Bradshaw, Reynoldsburg (4/29/04)

"With all the development going on in Licking and Fairfield counties this will only become more of a nightmare. It is not unusual for it to take me and hour and a half to get home. It is only a 38 mile commute." Vickie Wilson, Thornville (4/29/04)

"I would like to see express lanes on this stretch of highway. Not having to deal with on /off traffic would help traffic flow." Laurie Smith, Pataskala (4/29/04)

"An additional interchange between SR 256 and SR 310 could be helpful." Erick Metzger, Reynoldsburg  (4/28/04)

"The I-270/I-70 interchange problem starts at the Hamilton Road on ramp to the I-70 East. Signage is poor and there are insufficient eastbound lanes on I-70. Add a concrete center divider from Hamilton Road east past the Brice Road Interchange. This will add at least one additional lane in both directions on I-70. With proper signage, this will allow "through" traffic to stay out of the merging lanes! This will also help on the westbound lanes from Brice Road heading west. The concrete divider will also minimize head on collisions." Bruce Barnaby, Reynoldsburg (4/28/04)

"There are several options 1)run through traffic over the bridge at 256, 2) open an entrance on Taylor Road just east of 256 3)widen 256 and I-70." Delores Trivett, Reynoldsburg (4/28/04)

"I think if you could somehow "shift" the road to the left at the I270 and I70 interchange, the wide shoulder could be used as another lane and would reduce the effects of the bottle neck." Jacob Omaits, Canal Winchester (4/28/04)

"Brice Rd/256 interchanges are the worst and cause huge backups every day. Both ramps force drivers to cross multiple lanes in a very short distance and traffic lights too close to the off ramps only aggravate the problem. Both areas need modern interchanges similar to Sawmill Road, with better management of through traffic not related to freeway traffic." Anonymous, Reynoldsburg (4/28/04)

"Several years ago, during a highway renovation project, ODOT worked in conjunction with COTA to run COTA express busses from Pickerington to Columbus. There were four runs in the a.m. and p.m. and every bus was filled to capacity. We were told it was COTA's most successful run. Making some sort of arrangements to bring public transportation back to Pickerington would greatly reduce traffic congestion. Many residents have for years been requesting COTA in Pickerington but always have been told it's not possible." Jane Clagg, Pickerington (4/28/04)

"On eastbound exit off I-70 to SR256 - need to find way to make traffic yield that is coming off I-70. Most drivers just fly onto SR256 with no regard to the right-of-way of drivers on that road. Thank you for looking into the problems of this area. Things are getting pretty bad." Mike Fisher, Pickerington (4/28/04)

"Building an interchange at Mink St. would help alleviate the congestion at 256 onto 70. Build a tunnel or bridge under/over 70 running from 204 to Taylor road. There are roads there now but they dead end into 70.This would help the congestion at 256 and 70.Change the Brice road on ramp to 70 so the cars stay on the entrance road and enter 70 after passing under 270. The cars leaving 70 to go 270 would exit on a bridge (over the Brice entrance road) and would merge accordingly with the Brice cars first then either N270 and S270." June Erk of Pickerington (4/28/04)

"Not enough road for all the traffic." Mel LePage, Reynoldsburg (4/27/04)

"Build an entrance to I-70 East and West from Taylor Road, and build an exit from I-70 West to Taylor Road. This would greatly relieve congestion in the S.R. 256 area. Improve Taylor Road north of I-70." Wallace Judge, Pickerington (4/27/04)

"The creation of express lanes from Hamilton Road past State Route 256 allowing separating traffic which is just going through the area from being tied up with all the ramps at 270, Brice Road and 256. Similar to the setup of lanes from south of broad st to south of 270 on I-270 on the eastside." Scott Sadler, Columbus (4/27/04)

"I really don't see that many accidents on this stretch. That's why I rated it low. The shoulders on either side of I-70 between 270 and 256 are very wide. Couldn't additional lanes be created? Need to widen the westbound I-70 entrance ramps off Brice and 256 to two lanes." Ray Blackburn, Reynoldsburg (4/27/04)

"I've studied this mess for 7 years. The problem is: drivers do not know HOW TO MERGE." Karen Kentosh, Millersport (4/27/04)

"On south bound I 270 place near Broad / Whitehall exit there needs to be an earlier warning that the far right lane is an Exit Only lane. The current warning comes too late and causes drivers to make a hurried, dangerous move to the through lane." James Ritter, Reynoldsburg (4/27/04)

"Few drivers observe "Stay right, pass left." Even though traffic entering from I-270 to I-70 East have their own lanes, many drivers insist on changing lanes while still traveling at slower speeds than traffic in the lanes to the left AND not accelerating quickly enough to keep traffic moving. Consideration should be given to replicating the "cattle-shoots" like on I-270 crossing over I-70 there. If these separate lanes began just west of I-270 and to east of Brice Road, many motorists would not be delayed by the weaving generated by traffic entering from I-270." Ray Murphy, Pickerington (4/27/04)

"I think if you would close in the median barrier) and add 2 thru lanes (express lanes) for traffic going WB on I-70. Then East of Brice Road - split through traffic to the 2 new lanes, use current center lane and current right lane as I-270 only lanes. Construct a fly-over ramp(1-lane)at Brice Rd. for WB I-70 traffic (come into current left lane and create 3rd WB lane)." Jim Breitinger, Pickerington (4/27/04)

"Your survey seems to suggest that the primary problem is between St. Rt. 256 and the split at I-270. That may be the case in the morning commute westbound into downtown, but the real problem is eastbound in the evening starting between James Road and Hamilton Road where 70 eastbound narrows from four lanes to two at the 270 exit. One way to ease some of the congestion could be to take out one of the two lanes exiting 70 eastbound onto 270, there is simply not enough traffic getting on 270 at that point for two lanes. Simply narrowing the median from say, Hamilton Road to just past Brice and add an extra left lane would also seem to have an effect." George Mooter, Reynoldsburg (4/27/04)

"There is additional payment there not being used right now that could reduce the congestion. The signs do not tell West bound traffic that the Cinn./270 lane goes all the way through to I-70 west. Semi Trucks cause a huge mess. Traffic Cops sitting there only adds to the congestion. The far left hand lane should be marked for Through Traffic only, more speed limits signs to maintain the speed with a minimum speed posted so traffic will not slow down so much." Gavin Coriell, Reynoldsburg (4/27/04)

"My friend and I both go home via 70E and can't figure out why traffic stops between Hamilton and Brice, but it's fairly recent." Nancy Strauch, Reynoldsburg (4/27/04)

"I have been driving to work in Columbus over the past 20 years and have seen the increase in traffic......and it will continue to increase as more homes, condos, and apartments are being built out east. Many commute to Columbus to work ... I, like many others, would travel to Columbus more often for other reasons if the traffic flow was maintained. This means more dollars spent in Columbus.....stores, events, activities, museums, etc." Anonymous (4/27/04)

"An exit is also needed from I 70 to go north on Taylor Rd. as well as south. Put an overpass across the interstate like the one at Tollgate or 310 and also an entrance ramp from Taylor and exit and entrance ramp from and to Mink should also be constructed. Not enough access roads from Pickerington to Reynoldsburg and the access to and from Walmart is much needed." Carole Franz, Pickerington (4/27/04)

"I think the flyovers are an excellent idea. Traffic on and off the interstates, 270 & 70 are horrible." Gib Harris, Pickerington (3/29/07)