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Columbus Infrastructure Work Targets Daily Travel and Flood Risks for Residents
A $1.2 billion portfolio of projects includes interchange upgrades, flood controls and street improvements that directly affect how people move around the city.
How we reported this
Columbus Consolidated Government is advancing $1.2 billion in active infrastructure initiatives that include multiple transportation and stormwater projects now under construction.
Residents face ongoing lane shifts and detours on major routes while crews complete interchanges and drainage work that city records tie to long-standing congestion and flooding complaints. The timing matters because several projects carry firm completion dates in 2026, after which drivers and nearby neighborhoods should see measurable changes in access and water management.
Interchange and roundabout upgrades on key corridors
The $47.7 million I-185/Buena Vista Road interchange stands 75 percent complete with a spring 2026 target, while the $58 million I-185/Cusseta Road interchange has reached 67 percent completion. The $5 million Williams Road/Fortson Road roundabout is scheduled to finish next month. These locations sit on routes used daily by commuters heading to downtown offices, schools and the airport.
Additional work includes the $13.5 million flood abatement project on Veterans Parkway at the 19th Street system, now under construction with an April 2026 finish date. A separate $665 million regional TSPLOST approved by voters funds 46 projects, among them $25 million for Columbus Airport terminal expansion, $12.5 million for Riverwalk repaving and $22.5 million for Steam Mill Road improvements.
Policy changes and next application steps
The Columbus Consolidated Government Council recently amended its Complete Streets Policy to adopt specific engineering guidelines and create a public committee that will track roadway design transparency and safety metrics. The Columbus-Phenix City Metropolitan Planning Organization extended the Transportation Alternatives Program Call for Projects deadline to March 27, 2026, and is accepting public comments on proposed work documents.
Residents can review project status updates and submit input through the C-PCMPO process or the new Complete Streets committee to stay informed on how remaining funds from TSPLOST, LOST 2021 and stormwater accounts will be allocated across the listed corridors.