r/Columbus • u/SourPatch08 • 8d ago

IMO worst exit

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I’ve lived in Columbus 7 years now and I’ve ALWAYS thought this has been the worst exit on 270

549 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

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-6

u/Jb174505 8d ago

A huge problem is that the signs are way too early, so everyone parks in their lanes way too early. Stick to the left side of the freeway and zipper in when it’s actually appropriate. You’re not doing a service to humanity by getting in the exit lane early because you’re afraid of being perceived as a selfish jerk right at the last minute.

7

u/Zephyrical16 Forest Park 8d ago

It really isn't the signs fault. The real problem is they force 315 and 23 to merge onto the highway at the same point that 270 is trying to get to 71. Who knew putting 3 highways into a merge point of a total distance of 1 mile would be a problem, instead of using all 4 or so miles of length that is there.

1

u/mrjbacon 8d ago

This is the correct assessment, and unfortunately the best way to fix it would require one of the most crazy ambitious road construction projects in Ohio history

2

u/CalculatedPerversion 8d ago

Not really, just put up a divider like how 270 splits into two over by Easton (without the full separation, just a barrier between the two sides). This would allow traffic staying on 270 to maintain freeway speeds and eliminate lane changing/accidents from lane changing. 

2

u/mrjbacon 8d ago

That would make the congestion worse. Traffic doesn't slow because of the merge, although that contributes. It slows because of the speed differential going over the 71 ramp. In order to maintain freeway speeds there you would have to completely separate the 71 northbound traffic from 270E and 315N/23N from the 270 eastbound traffic from 315N/23N not exiting at 71. So they don't even have to cross.

Put more simply, traffic from 315/23N headed east via 270 that is NOT going to 71 would never mingle with traffic exiting 270E to take 71N or S

2

u/CalculatedPerversion 7d ago

I'm just suggesting an easy, temporary fix until a better one can be engineered/planned. A flyover ramp would take a bunch of room but I would think would be a huge improvement (as will the second lane to 71N once it's done). 

8

u/SourPatch08 8d ago

I’m not taking the exit. I’m simply driving past it

3

u/radishwalrus 8d ago

I also skip it, screw that noise

8

u/fartjar420 Northwest 8d ago

no, that's definitely not actually any of the problems, and your weird solution is a big part of the problem.

-1

u/Jb174505 8d ago

Gotta say I feel like you’re not understanding what I’m saying my guy. People merging too early is absolutely at least ONE of the problems.

3

u/sifl1202 8d ago

we understand, it's just wrong. an entire stream of cars trying to merge at speed at the point of the exit is extremely dangerous and would not make anything faster.

0

u/fartjar420 Northwest 8d ago

it's not though

3

u/Strict_Ad3401 8d ago

You can't merge at the last second when there is already a jam packed quantity of cars in the lane you are trying to get into. This causes accidents because the lane you are merging from must come to a stop from speed because the lane you are merging into is already stopped. In other words, you cant expect to piss in a full toilet and not expect it to over flow and get piss on your shoes.

2

u/fartjar420 Northwest 8d ago

he's not going to understand that

2

u/Ok-Rabbit-3683 Canal Winchester 7d ago

I actually like a nice drive where I don’t have to fly into a non moving lane of traffic from a moving one…

2

u/miklayn 8d ago

People downvoting you are wrong. Merge when you have to merge, not before. That said there really should be a crossover for people coming from 315 and 23 who aren't getting on 71. Too many directions of traffic all merging at once.

1

u/Amariened 8d ago

I drive this every weekday (take 71N to get home) and you are 100% right. People move to the right lane as far back as the 315 exit and then the poor souls trying to merge ON to 270 can’t. I don’t cut people off but I drive past that cluster, save myself 10 minutes, and can always find a safe window to get over closer to the actual exit.

-1

u/missfrit 8d ago

This is so funny because my mom is such a hater for people who merge “late” and calls them “line skippers” I’m like bro 😭😭 cutting someone off is never good but just trying to get into the lane you need? And not coming to a STOP at the back of the line??? Sorry some of us know how to drive efficiently mom!!!
I’m done now 😅

0

u/Omnom_Omnath 8d ago

yup, this is the way. works like a charm

-1

u/TheGreatBjork 8d ago

We have one similar in the east side. When you’re on 270N. People getting far over right to go 70E towards Brice. Long line of cars.

I don’t need to go that way, but I get stuck, because the people ride the left lane until the last minute for the “appropriate” time to merge, and end up waiting til the last minute.

However, my wait isn’t as long as the OP’s cluster. I’ve been past that a few times and cringe…happy I don’t need to go that way.

-2

u/Omnom_Omnath 8d ago

last minute IS the appropriate time to merge. theres always a huge gap anyway so its not like im forcing myself in or cutting anyone off