Columbus city council recently approved a $16.5 Million road project that will add relief to one of Columbus’ most congested roadways – the Northwest side. The project will widen Hard Road from two to five lanes, with new pavement, curbs, sidewalks, and additional lighting.

The project is phase three of a three-part effort by the city, in which they have already widened certain areas of Hard Road, east of Smokey Row Road to Route 315.

The widening of Hard Road will dramatically decrease congestion and traffic.

Residents are not thrilled about the construction, but they are thrilled about what the end product means for the Columbus area. However, some residents who live next to the congested road are not very happy about the improvement, saying that the construction equipment has been parked on their property.

“Wondering why they couldn’t park it along the road along the easement that they have and not in our backyard,” said local resident Colleen Leffel, whose backyard butts up along Hard Road. She also explained how she is losing that additional space that was between her backyard and the highly trafficked road – something she is concerned about.

Moreover, if you are moving to Columbus, you will soon be able to enjoy an easier, more timely commute and even errand run.