In The News

Ohio DOT to add truck detour route in Columbus

Jim Walden runs seven trucks and 12 drivers in the Columbus, OH area. He knows enough truckers in the region to hear when something’s up.

Recently, one of Walden’s drivers and another acquaintance each were cited for driving a commercial truck in the same passing lane at the same highway interchange. Each was driving in the right-hand passing lane headed east on Interstate 270 near the exit ramp for U.S. 62 – an area torn up for construction of a casino and access road widening.

The problem is simple: Trucks must either break the law by traveling in the right lane if they’re exiting onto U.S. 62, or wait until the last moment before passing the exit to get over and exit – hoping no other vehicles are in the way.

“It’s ridiculous,” Walden said. “I go by there probably four days a week, and I send my drivers seven or eight miles out of their way to avoid it.”

Trucks were banned from the lane because the existing lane was originally not meant for highway traffic.

Ohio DOT spokesperson Nancy Burton said the problem with I-270’s right lane near U.S. 62 revolves around the lane’s original purpose as a shoulder to I-270.

The shoulder has been reinforced, Burton said, but still can’t handle repeated truck weight.

“We had to reinforce that shoulder; the right lane is actually just a shoulder,” Burton said. “The shoulder is not strong enough, or constructed well enough, to handle truck weight. That’s why we put the ‘truck traffic prohibited’ on that far right lane. But then there was no other way to get over to 62.”

To solve the problem, ODOT is planning to introduce a truck detour route within two weeks, Burton said.

“We just have to get some signs ordered,” Burton told Land Line .

The detour will direct trucks headed east on I-270 to remain in I-270’s left lane, continuing past U.S. 62. As the work zone ends, truck drivers can move to the right lane and exit at Interstate 71, where they can re-enter I-270 headed west and then exit in the right lane onto U.S. 62.

Walden’s driver who was ticketed won his case in court after OOIDA Member Tim Brewer helped him. Brewer took video recordings of the route, which shows the near impossibility truckers faced in remaining in the middle lane before exiting.

Still, Walden said, his driver was forced to pay about $100 in court costs.  Before the route became an official truck detour, Walden said he already sent his drivers to I-71. Walden said he’s seen trucks pulled over near the exit multiple times by Columbus Police.

Columbus Police didn’t immediately return phone calls seeking comment Tuesday.

“It’s absolutely crazy,” Walden said. “It’s seven or eight miles out of route, but it saves me the ticket and losing the driver for a day.”

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