ODOT: State Route 315 Project On Budget and Ahead of Schedule
Southbound Lanes and Ramps Open Early

COLUMBUS (August 15, 2010) – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will open all three lanes of SR 315 south including all entrance and exit ramps by Monday August 23, 2010, more than a week ahead of schedule. Good weather coupled with the contractor’s aggressive work schedule led to the early completion.

Switching traffic to the new SR 315 south will begin Saturday, August 21 at 8 p.m. By Monday at 5 a.m., all three lanes of SR 315 south will be open as well as all southbound entrance and exit ramps. 

All three lanes of SR 315 north including all entrance and exit ramps will be open September 10. Final paving on SR 315 north still needs to be completed.  

According to the ODOT contract, Complete General Construction has until next year to remove the barrier wall and put the final pavement surface on both directions of SR 315, but ODOT and the contractor worked out an agreement so the final pavement work can occur on all north and southbound lanes of SR 315 this year instead of next.

ODOT worked with the Ohio State University, area hospitals, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to make sure there was agreement before allowing the contractor to work past September 1this year. The idea of getting all the work completed in nine days instead of coming back next year and impacting traffic again along this vital corridor was not only encouraged but supported.   

When SR 315 south opens on August 23, the speed limit will resume to 65 mph, but until September 10, the speed on SR 315 north will remain 45 mph since travel will be restricted to two lanes, and the ramps at Goodale, I-670, Lane and Olentangy River Road to SR 315 north will still be closed.

On September 2, the first Ohio State University football game, the contractor will not be able to work on any travel lanes on SR 315 after 12 noon, only behind the barrier wall. The contractor has also agreed not to bring any heavy truck traffic into the work zone after noon. ODOT, the city, law enforcement and the university have all worked together to make sure ramps are accessible to move fans in and out of the stadium safely on the September 2.

Ten weeks ago, crews began improvements to the roadway surface of SR 315 south and eight bridges.

Once complete, ODOT will have invested $24 million dollars to improve three miles SR 315 north and south from I-670 to the North Broadway exit.