The Proposed U.S. 23/I-71 Connector: What Central Ohio Homeowners Need to Know

More than 200 Central Ohio residents packed the Delaware County Fairgrounds on August 6 to learn more about a proposed highway connection that could eventually reshape travel, development, and communities north of Columbus.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is studying a new roadway that would connect U.S. 23 with Interstate 71 north of Delaware, and ODOT has now identified a preferred alignment for further study.

But here's the important part: the highway has not been approved for construction.

According to reporting by Nathan Hart for The Columbus Dispatch, ODOT is completing a feasibility study required by the Ohio General Assembly. Public feedback will become part of the final report due to lawmakers by October 1, 2026. State lawmakers and other officials would then decide whether the project moves forward.

For anyone who owns property, farms, commutes, or is considering buying a home in northern Delaware, Marion, or Morrow counties, this is a project worth paying attention to.

Where Would the Proposed U.S. 23/I-71 Connector Go?

According to The Columbus Dispatch, ODOT's preferred route would begin along U.S. 23 north of Waldo.

From there, the proposed roadway would travel through portions of Marion and Morrow counties, connect with U.S. 42 north of Ashley, turn south near the Delaware County border, and ultimately connect with I-71 just south of State Route 521.

That's significantly farther north than some of the routes discussed earlier in the process.

For some Delaware County homeowners, that shift may be welcome news. For other property owners farther north, however, the preferred route has brought the potential impact directly to their doorstep.

And that's exactly why this discussion has become so emotional.

Why Is ODOT Studying the Connector?

Anyone who regularly drives U.S. 23 through southern Delaware County knows the problem.

Traffic heading between Columbus and communities farther north funnels through the U.S. 23 corridor, creating congestion that has become increasingly frustrating as Central Ohio has grown.

The proposed connector could also provide drivers traveling between northwestern Ohio and Columbus with a more direct connection to I-71.

According to information ODOT presented at the public meeting and reported by The Columbus Dispatch, the proposed connector could potentially save drivers approximately six to 22 minutes of travel time, depending on the trip.

That's meaningful.

But saving time on a commute has to be weighed against what building an entirely new highway could require.

Why Are Some Residents Fighting the Proposal?

The strongest opposition appears to be coming from rural communities that could be directly affected by the preferred route.

For those residents, this isn't an abstract line drawn on a transportation map.

It's their land.

It's their home.

And, in some cases, it's farmland that has remained in the same family for generations.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that members of the Concerned Citizens of Morrow County were gathering signatures outside the August 6 meeting and said they had already collected more than 2,000 signatures opposing the connector.

One Morrow County family interviewed by the newspaper said ODOT's preferred route would run next to the home they built themselves. They told the Dispatch they fear the project could force them to uproot both their home and a family business.

Those are very real consequences that deserve to be part of this conversation.

There's Another Side to the Debate

Not everyone opposes the connector.

Support appears to vary considerably depending upon where people live.

Some residents of southern Delaware County see the proposed road as a potential way to reduce congestion along U.S. 23.

Drivers traveling between northwestern Ohio and Columbus could also benefit from a faster route to I-71.

That's what makes this project complicated.

A road that improves someone's commute could dramatically change someone else's property.

Both things can be true at the same time.

What Could the Connector Cost?

This would be a major infrastructure project.

According to figures presented by ODOT and reported by The Columbus Dispatch, construction of the preferred route is currently estimated at approximately $650 million to $740 million.

A toll has also been considered.

ODOT's analysis indicated that toll revenue could potentially cover operation and maintenance expenses but only about 6% of construction costs.

So even if a toll became part of the project, significant funding questions would remain.

What Could This Mean for Central Ohio Real Estate?

This is where I think homeowners and buyers need to pay particularly close attention.

A major transportation project can affect real estate in several different ways, and those effects aren't automatically positive or negative.

Properties Directly Along the Route

These homeowners potentially face the greatest uncertainty.

Depending on the eventual design, properties could be affected by right-of-way acquisition, noise, traffic, visual changes, access issues, or proximity to a new roadway.

Until a project is actually approved and detailed plans exist, however, it's impossible to say exactly how an individual property might be affected.

Communities Near New Access Points

Highway access can make an area more attractive for residential and commercial development.

Over time, improved transportation can change commuting patterns and increase development pressure around interchanges.

That could create opportunities, but it could also change the rural character that attracted many homeowners to these communities in the first place.

Buyers Considering the Area

If you're considering purchasing property anywhere near a proposed transportation corridor, this is exactly the kind of due diligence that matters.

Don't simply look at the house and the lot.

Look at what is being discussed around it.

Ask about proposed roads, zoning, development plans, utilities, and nearby infrastructure projects.

A beautiful view today doesn't guarantee the land across the road will look the same ten years from now.

The Uncertainty Itself Matters

One comment from the Dispatch story really stood out to me.

A Delaware County homeowner whose property had been affected by one of the earlier potential routes said residents need a decision because the uncertainty can leave people feeling as though their lives and properties are on hold.

That's an important piece of this story.

Even before a road gets built, the possibility of one can affect decisions about selling, renovating, buying neighboring land, investing in a property, or simply planning for the future.

And because ODOT's current work is still a feasibility study, there are more decisions ahead before anyone should treat this roadway as a done deal. ODOT's own project-development guidance describes feasibility studies as part of preliminary engineering used to analyze alternatives and their design and environmental impacts.

What Happens Next?

ODOT is required to provide its final feasibility study to the Ohio General Assembly by October 1, 2026, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

The General Assembly and state officials will then determine whether the project should proceed.

So right now, the important distinction is:

ODOT has identified a preferred route for its study. Ohio has not approved construction of the highway.

That's a big difference, particularly if you're making a real estate decision based on what you've heard about the project.

The Bottom Line

Central Ohio is growing, and our transportation infrastructure has to grow with it.

But infrastructure projects this large inevitably create winners, losers, and difficult tradeoffs.

Reducing congestion on U.S. 23 and improving access between northwestern Ohio and Columbus could provide substantial benefits. At the same time, losing farmland, disrupting established homes, and changing rural communities are costs that shouldn't be brushed aside.

For homeowners and buyers, my advice is simple: pay attention early.

Transportation studies, zoning hearings, development proposals, and comprehensive plans may not sound like exciting real estate topics, but they can eventually have a very real effect on where and how we live.

And if you're considering buying or selling property in Delaware, Marion, or Morrow County near the proposed corridor, make sure you're looking at more than today's map.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has the U.S. 23/I-71 connector been approved?

No. ODOT is currently conducting a feasibility study. The preferred alignment represents the route being studied, not final approval to construct the highway. According to The Columbus Dispatch, ODOT must submit its final feasibility study to the Ohio General Assembly by October 1, 2026.

Where would the proposed U.S. 23/I-71 connector be located?

The preferred route would connect to U.S. 23 north of Waldo, travel through portions of Marion and Morrow counties, connect with U.S. 42 north of Ashley, turn south near the Delaware County border, and connect with I-71 south of State Route 521.

How much could the U.S. 23/I-71 connector cost?

ODOT information presented at the August public meeting estimated construction at approximately $650 million to $740 million.

How much travel time could the connector save?

ODOT estimates presented at the meeting indicated that the proposed route could save drivers approximately six to 22 minutes, depending upon their trip.

Would the new highway be a toll road?

That hasn't been determined. A toll is one possibility being evaluated. According to the ODOT information reported by The Columbus Dispatch, toll revenue could cover operation and maintenance costs but only about 6% of construction costs.

Could the connector affect property values?

Potentially, but the impact would depend heavily on the individual property and the final project design. Improved highway access can increase convenience and development interest in some areas, while properties immediately adjacent to a new highway could face concerns involving noise, traffic, views, access, or right-of-way acquisition. There isn't a responsible one-size-fits-all prediction.

What should I do if I'm considering buying a home near the proposed route?

Review the current ODOT study information and proposed alignment as part of your due diligence. Buyers should also investigate local zoning, planned developments and other infrastructure projects that could affect the property. Remember that the preferred alignment is still part of a feasibility study and is not an approved construction project.

Can residents still comment on the proposal?

According to The Columbus Dispatch, the public comment period runs through September 1, 2026. Comments submitted during the process are expected to become part of ODOT's final feasibility study.

Source

This article is based on reporting by Nathan Hart for The Columbus Dispatch, "Residents Learn About U.S. 23/I-71 Connector: Central Ohioans Flock to Open House, Voice Their Concerns," published August 9, 2026, page 29. The original article was provided through the Dispatch's PressReader edition.

Additional context regarding how ODOT uses feasibility studies comes from Ohio Department of Transportation project-development guidance.

This blog is provided for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as a prediction of future property values, project approval, condemnation, right-of-way acquisition, or development. Proposed routes, costs, timelines, and project details may change. Buyers and property owners should verify current information directly with ODOT and appropriate government agencies before making real estate or financial decisions.