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This study will examine the feasibility of establishing a new freeway connection between US Route 23 and Interstate 71 north of Columbus as directed by Section 755.60 of House Bill 54 (further amended by House Bill 96) of Ohio’s FY 2026-2027 Transportation Budget Act.

The Ohio Legislature directed the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Ohio Turnpike & Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) to jointly evaluate the feasibility of this new connection through a range of options, including expanding existing state routes, building a new freeway, or creating a tolled facility.

This effort is composed of two main phases:

Phase 1: Planning Study (Interim Report)

• Completed: October 1, 2025
• Defined a broad study area that captured all reasonable north-south connection points from US 23 to I-71 within Delaware, Marion, and Morrow Counties. As part of this early step, seven conceptual corridors were identified for preliminary evaluation.
  • The planning study found that northern route options generally do not perform well from a traffic perspective, as they tend to increase travel time or distance.
  • Southern route options present significant challenges due to the presence of major environmental and recreational resources, such as the Delaware and Alum Creek resovoirs and state parks, as well as ongoing infrastructure improvements at US 36/SR 37 and I-71.
• Outcome: The planning study narrowed the focus to a specific area: US 23 north of Waldo, with potential routes either running north or south of the Village of Ashley, and connecting to I-71 between US 36/SR 37 and SR 229. This focus area will move forward into the feasibility study for further engineering analysis.

Phase 2: Feasibility Study (Where We are Now)

• Expected Completion: October 1, 2026
• Using the narrowed focus area from Phase 1, the feasibility study will Include preliminary engineering assessments, comprehensive data collection, traffic pattern studies, cost estimation, and focused public engagement within the most promising general area
• Outcome: Preferred alignment for a potential connector​