Why Are So Many Roads Closed in West Columbus and Prairie Township This Week?
If you have recently found yourself rerouting through unfamiliar neighborhoods in West Columbus or Prairie Township, you are not alone. Thousands of residents and commuters are facing major disruptions due to road closures caused by ongoing railroad maintenance by Norfolk Southern.
The affected areas span nearly 5 miles of track, with temporary closures at:
- Phillipi Road
- Hilliard Rome Road
- Doherty Road
- Alton Darby Creek Road
- Cole Road
- Amity Road
These closures, some of which were announced with little to no notice, have caused severe congestion on key corridors like West Broad Street, especially west of I-270—currently the only viable route across the railroad line in some areas.
Local governments, including Franklin County and the City of Columbus, say they weren’t given sufficient notice about the closures. Some officials only became aware after residents began reporting blocked roads.
Carla Marable from the Franklin County Engineer’s Office noted that while their team usually gives one week’s notice, changes in the contractor’s schedule made timely updates difficult. “We recognize the inconvenience and are working on better coordination in the future,” she said.
Concerns have also been raised about the impact on first responders. Prairie Township leaders mentioned that residents’ safety could be compromised without clear communication and advanced planning.
Long-term solutions are being explored. A proposed bridge project over the railroad at Hilliard Rome Road, with an estimated cost of $30 million, is intended to improve traffic flow and emergency access. However, it did not receive federal funding in the latest grant cycle.
Meanwhile, Prairie Township’s fire department has implemented new tech to monitor emergency response routes and minimize delays.
Road Closure Timeline:
- July 28 – July 30:
- Phillipi Road
- Hilliard Rome Road
- Doherty Road
- July 29 – July 31:
- Alton Darby Creek Road
- Cole Road
- Amity Road
Residents are encouraged to follow local government pages and news sources for real-time updates on roads closed in West Columbus and surrounding areas.
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