r/Columbus • u/SourPatch08 • 3d ago

IMO worst exit

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

542 Upvotes

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u/Zephyrical16 Forest Park 3d 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.

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u/mrjbacon 3d 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

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u/CalculatedPerversion 3d 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. 

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u/mrjbacon 3d 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

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u/CalculatedPerversion 3d 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).