COLUMBUS — Today, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) released the final U.S. 23/I-71 Connector Feasibility Study Report U.S. 23/I-71 Connector Feasibility Study Report that evaluates a connection between U.S. 23 and Interstate 71 north of Columbus.
The completed report delivers a recommended corridor alignment, preliminary cost estimates, and initial traffic and tolling models.
A provision in House Bill 54, Ohio’s most recent Transportation Budget, directed the two agencies to work collaboratively to find the most feasible route between the two existing highways. The legislation specified an October 1, 2026 deadline to deliver the study to the Ohio General Assembly.
As part of the study process, ODOT hosted stakeholder meetings in October 2025, February 2026, and July 2026. Two rounds of six public meetings were held in March and August 2026 in Delaware, Marion, and Morrow counties. Approximately 3,000 public comments were collected at the public meetings, online, and through the mail.
“This report represents a robust evaluation of different alternatives for a connection between U.S. 23 and I-71,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. “ODOT heard a lot of feedback throughout this process, including both the benefits and concerns of a potential alignment.
“Our expert team worked diligently with OTIC to deliver a report reflective of the most feasible alignment.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ODOT STUDY:
Study Findings
After a detailed analysis of the potential routes and public feedback, the study determined that the most feasible route for a potential connector would be an 18.2 mile-long-roadway between U.S. 23 north of Waldo to I-71 south of SR 521. It would include an interchange at U.S. 42 north of the village of Ashley.
If construction were to begin in 2035, the study estimated that the cost to build the highway would range from $857 million to $1.2 billion, depending on the extent of improvements to I-71 required as part of the project. It also found that the expected benefits, which include reduced travel time and safety improvements, outweigh the predicted cost.
The study estimated that by 2055, a highway on this alignment is projected to carry approximately 21,900 vehicles per day if it were not tolled. If it were tolled, the average daily traffic would be 8,500. Travel time between I-475 and I-270 would be reduced by 6 minutes during free-flow conditions and 22 minutes during the morning peak hour. These travel times are based on existing conditions on U.S. 23 and an additional lane being added to each direction on I-71.
Next Steps
Additional funding would need to be identified to transition from the planning stage into ODOT’s formal project development process.
This would still follow Federal Highway Administration rules and regulations and include approval from the state’s Transportation Review Advisory Council, receiving clearance through the National Environmental Policy Act, preliminary engineering, additional public involvement, final engineering, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, and finally bidding and construction.
Because the project does not have funding secured, there is no estimated timeline for construction.
