COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--Good news for commuters living northeast of Columbus.
The Ohio Department of Transportation says the speed limit for the "smartlane" on I-670 East, will go up to 55 miles an hour, beginning today.
The additional lane is used during the afternoon rush hour on 670 East, between Leonard Avenue and I-270. When it was first installed in October 2019, the speed limit was 45 miles an hour for 670 East, when the "smartlane" was open.
State transportation officials maintain that the speed limit could still be lowered during heavy congestion.
"This approach allows us to be proactive in keeping drivers safe," said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks. "The agile technology of the SmartLane, combined with our ability to adjust the speed limit, enables us to truly manage traffic, not just monitor it."
Construction of Ohio's first SmartLane cost about $12.5 million, with an additional $48 million going towards interchange improvements at I-670/I-270.