Infrastructure projects trigger traffic shifts in Ohio and Indiana

Major infrastructure and safety projects are set to cause significant traffic disruptions in Chillicothe, Ohio, and Columbus, Indiana.

In Chillicothe, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will begin a new phase of a multi-year safety improvement project along the State Route 159/North Bridge Street corridor on August 25. The project involves reconstructing northbound lanes through the U.S. 35 interchange. To facilitate this, two northbound lanes will be temporarily shifted onto new concrete. Drivers accessing retail hubs such as Walmart, Kohl’s, and Shawnee Square will face specific detour requirements, including turning left at Stewart Drive to enter certain shopping centers.

In Columbus, Indiana, Columbus City Utilities has announced a year-long project to replace a municipal water tower. Starting in early September 2026, several downtown streets will close, including 18th Street from Elm Street to the alley west of the water tower, and Elm Street from 18th Street to the water tower property line. The construction is expected to last through September 2027 as part of broader efforts to modernize aging municipal water infrastructure.