COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Ohio Department of Transportation approved $82 million in funding last week to widen U.S. 33 between Columbus and Canal Winchester.
The project will add a third lane in each direction on U.S. 33 between Interstate 270 and Gender Road. The department expects construction to begin in summer 2026, according to its website.
The extra lanes aim to “reduce congestion” as well as “improve safety and regional mobility,” according to the agency. The road sees an average of almost 50,000 vehicles daily and is currently mostly two lanes each way.
The funding is part of a larger “U.S. 33 Widening” plan by ODOT, which would also make changes to the Bixby Road and Rager Road intersections. The department estimates the total cost of the project is about $167 million.
The $82 million in funding was approved by ODOT’s Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC), a body that prioritizes and approves applications for projects that cost more than $12 million. ODOT district offices, metropolitan planning organizations, municipalities and more can apply for TRAC’s annual funding.
For 2025, TRAC approved $319.3 million for 14 transportation projects in 14 counties, including the U.S. 33 widening. The project was the most expensive application approved in the most recent round of funding.
ODOT predicts construction on U.S. 33 will be finished in fall 2028.