Fast, reliable & cost effective Equipment Transport

Breaking news: Overnight crashes in a work zone near mile post 88 in Pleasant Township shut the northbound lanes for more than eight hours, starting about 10:30 p.m.

The southbound side opened near midnight, and crews cleared northbound around 6:15 a.m., with traffic moving near the SR-38 exit by 6:50 a.m. Responders faced a hazardous oil spill that required EPA involvement and hazmat cleanup.

Narrow lanes and no shoulder slowed recovery. Crews had to offload 42,000 pounds of truck axles from a damaged trailer before a safe tow could start.

Detours routed vehicles via SR-38 and U.S. 62 toward Mount Sterling and Grove City, adding as much as an hour for some drivers. Two people were hospitalized; no fatalities were reported.

This traffic story hits commuters, families, and freight operators across the area and the state. It also ties into the larger I-70/I-71 Downtown Ramp Up in Columbus, a project that aims to cut ramps, add lanes, and improve safety through fall 2025 for a corridor that sees about 140,000 vehicles daily.

Overnight I-71 gridlock underscores construction-zone risks in Ohio

A string of crashes just before 10:30 p.m. closed northbound lanes for much of the night near mile post 88 at the Pickaway–Madison county border. The southbound side reopened around midnight, but northbound stayed shut until about 6:15 a.m., and SR-38 traffic began moving near 6:50 a.m.

Timeline and location

The first crash near the county line set off a rapid sequence of incidents that compounded congestion. Crews worked through the night, balancing patient care and scene investigation while staging recovery in a tight work area.

Lanes, hazmat, and response

Narrow lanes and no shoulder left responders little room to operate. An oil spill required EPA hazmat work and extra safety checks before lanes could reopen. Teams had to unload a damaged trailer piecewise to clear the roadway.

Traffic and detours

Detours sent vehicles from SR-38 southeast onto U.S. 62 through Mount Sterling toward Grove City, adding up to an hour for some drivers. Stranded motorists turned off engines, shared water, and waited without restroom access as updates trickled in.

Practical note: For smarter route planning and verified content on alternate corridors, see our guide on route planning.

Heavy equipment transport delays due to I-71 Ohio construction

Recovery teams had to work in tight lanes and no shoulder, offloading a 42,000-pound axle set to clear a damaged trailer. The transfer required extra rigs, spotters, and careful staging inside an active work zone.

Operational constraints and recovery differences

Tight lanes limit where wreckers can position. That reduces safe lift angles and lengthens each move. A standard crash often needs one tow and a quick scene clear; a specialized recovery needs cranes, extra personnel, and more time.

Routing choices, timing, and carrier impacts

Project phasing shrinks staging areas, so carriers must coordinate swaps in live work zones. County detours via SR-38 onto U.S. 62 through Mount Sterling toward Grove City are workable but require review of turning radii and local limits.

• Practical tip: Arrange staged agreements with recovery partners.
• Contact the department transportation or the ohio department transportation liaison for closure windows.

Bottom line: Overlapping projects across the state can push more moves into peak hours and stretch service windows. This content highlights practical steps carriers and responders can take now to protect drivers and keep city-bound freight moving.

Why ODOT’s I-70/I-71 Downtown Ramp Up is reshaping traffic, crashes, and freight routes

The Ramp Up project will convert a tangled ramp network into a simpler, safer highway layout for the downtown area.

Project scope: The program rebuilds 3.5 miles of freeway through Columbus. It serves roughly 140,000 vehicles a day and targets about 900 crashes each year. Planners cut ramps from 44 down to 8 and added a travel lane in each direction to reduce weaving and conflict points.

Major tasks and timeline

Work includes bridge widening and replacement, a nearly mile-long connecting bridge, road reconstruction, and pedestrian-friendly crossings that reconnect neighborhoods.

Phases 4R and 6R are combined and active through fall 2025. That sequencing shrinks staging areas and can tighten lanes, creating short-term backups while long-term gains materialize.

Stakeholders, funding, and freight benefits

Stakeholders range from CSX and Norfolk Southern to the U.S. Army Corps and telecom firms, all of which shape work windows and access. The current phases are budgeted at $280 million inside a $1.4 billion program. Funding comes from federal (40%), state (55%), city (3%), and regional sources.

Practical outcome: Fewer ramps and smoother merges mean more predictable travel times for carriers and better safety for drivers once the program finishes.

Staying ahead of delays: live updates, emergency kits, and smarter route planning for trucks and commuters

When work-zone shifts or a sudden crash affect a route, real-time alerts and a simple kit keep people safer.

Monitor live traffic feeds and official updates so you can change course quickly. Pack an emergency kit with water, snacks, phone chargers, reflective triangles, and basic first aid, as AAA advises.

Map alternates ahead — county connectors such as SR-38 and U.S. 62 can save time when lanes close. Build extra trip time during the Ramp Up projects and coordinate schedules with your department transportation or the ohio department for planned closures.

Stay patient in narrowed lanes, leave space, and review incidents afterward to improve future routing. Small steps now help everyone reach the long-term safety gains these projects aim to deliver.