Construction on the Interstate 270 and Interstate 71 interchange on Columbus' North Side is officially underway, according to an Ohio Department of Transportation spokesperson.

Crews started work in June, installing black netting on bridges in the interchange scheduled for replacement, ODOT spokesperson Hannah Salem said.

These bridges will be rebuilt to allow another lane on Interstate 71 northbound through the interchange. Once they're done, the I-270 eastbound ramp to I-71 northbound will be resurfaced and restriped to fit two lanes.

A bridge that carries the I-71 northbound ramp to I-270 eastbound will be replaced, along with two bridges carrying I-270 westbound to I-71 southbound.

"The widened ramp will allow more vehicles to move through the interchange, which will help reduce congestion, as well as make it easier for drivers to navigate some of the lane changes in this area," Salem said.

Pillowy clouds float over the Columbus skyline on July 2, 2025.

Motorists should expect ramp and lane closures for the duration of the project, including a handful of overnight closures in July and August.

Interstate 270 around the I-71 interchange is one of the busiest segments of road in the state.

On average, 164,752 vehicles per day travel along the highway from High Street to Interstate 71 on the interchange's west side, while an average of 155,435 vehicles per day travel on I-270 from Interstate 71 to Cleveland Avenue on the interchange's east side, The Dispatch previously reported.

Construction on the interchange is expected to continue until summer 2027, according to Salem. The project is estimated to cost $36 million.

This story has been updated with additional information and to add a photo gallery.

Got questions, comments or opinions on commuting in Columbus? Contact Breaking and Trending News Reporter Nathan Hart at [email protected] or read his Columbus transportation column, Getting There.