Caps for Columbus Downtown I-70 / I-71 Split Bridges

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Caps similar to the High Street cap over I-670 have been under consideration for the new High Street and Third Street bridges over the new I-70 / I-71 split for quite a long time.  The new bridges will feature caps initially built as green space, but with the capacity to hold buildings just like the North High Street, I-670 cap.

The new bridge designs were introduced at a March 19th Ohio Department of Transportation meeting in conjunction with project consultant Chris Hermann with MKSK

The caps would initially be built as green space caps unless a developer comes up with a suitable project.  My guess is the High Street cap will move forward with Columbus commercial real estate for lease cap with sorely needed Columbus downtown restaurant property for lease, but the Third Street cap will remain green space.  The Fourth Street bridge is just too far off into the future to guess.

The High Street and new Front Street bridges are funded for 2017, but the Third Street and Fourth Street aren’t due until 2023.  The Front and Fourth Street bridges will be much wider, but not wide enough for caps unless a Columbus commercial property developer comes forward with a viable plan.  All of the downtown bridges will structurally built to accommodate caps.  I think there will be a lot of demand for Columbus Capital South net leased restaurant space in the vicinity of the Courthouse.

illustrations property of ODOT and MKSK