Columbus traffic shifts again as N. 4th and E. 5th work ramps up
Overnight resurfacing and lane changes are underway on E. 5th Avenue, and more construction is planned as Columbus moves the corridor into a new lane setup.
Columbus has moved its N. 4th Street and E. 5th Avenue safety project into active construction, and the first visible change for drivers is already on E. 5th Avenue.
The city says overnight resurfacing began Sunday night, May 17, on E. 5th Avenue from N. High Street to 5th Street. That work includes traffic flaggers, lane restrictions and lane restriping as crews prepare the corridor for a new three-lane setup.
For commuters, that means short-term delays are likely near the stretch between High Street and 5th Street, especially overnight and during the parts of the project when lanes are narrowed or shifted. For nearby businesses, the biggest issue may be intermittent access and slower traffic moving through the corridor while resurfacing and restriping continue.
What is changing now
This is not a finished project. It is an active City of Columbus safety and roadway improvement effort, and the current phase is focused on E. 5th Avenue. The city’s project update says the roadway work is centered on resurfacing and restriping, with lane restrictions in place while crews work through the corridor.
The city also says the street will move to a new three-lane configuration on E. 5th Avenue. That is the immediate lane-change residents and drivers should expect to see as the project advances.
What comes next on N. 4th Street
The N. 4th Street portion is expected later, but not yet. According to the city, bike lane improvements on N. 4th Street will follow after unrelated underground utility work is completed. That means the next phase is tied to conditions outside the road project itself, so the schedule can still shift.
For now, the practical advice is simple: plan extra time when traveling near the corridor, pay attention to flaggers and lane markings, and expect changes in how traffic moves through the area as the resurfacing work continues through the end of May.
Why it matters
Projects like this can affect more than just through traffic. They can change how buses move through the area, how long a short trip takes, and how easy it is for customers, delivery drivers and employees to reach businesses along the corridor. Even when the work is temporary, it can create slowdowns at the exact times many residents are trying to get to work, school or appointments.
The city’s project page and traffic impacts update remain the best places to watch for schedule changes, since construction timelines can move when weather, utility work or field conditions change.
