Tagged: Cannon Drive Relocation – Phase 2

After years of planning and construction, Cannon Drive Relocation – Phase 2 is nearly complete, marking a major milestone on the Columbus campus. This transformative project has rebuilt the roadway between John Herrick Drive and Woody Hayes Drive at its current elevation, while constructing a certified Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) flood protection levee, resulting in up to 500-years of flood protection for the Ohio State University campus, ensuring safety and resilience for decades to come. 

Cannon Drive at Woody Hayes Drive is anticipated to open Saturday, November 16. The reopening of the roadway is a major milestone in the Cannon Drive Relocation – Phase 2 project. The project rebuilt the roadway between John Herrick Drive and Woody Hayes Drive at its current elevation and construct a certified ODNR flood protection levee, adding up to 500-year flood protection for the Columbus campus.

Columbus Underground recently highlighted the Cannon Drive Relocation Phase 2 project, which rebuilds the roadway between John Herrick Drive and Woody Hayes Drive and constructed a certified ODNR floor protection levee. 

"The addition of the levee not only aligns with the city of Columbus' and university standards, but stands as an example for flood protection that other universities can look to," said Tom Ekegren, director of projects for Facilities Design and Construction (FDC) and project manager of Cannon Drive Relocation - Phase 2.

The Sisson Hall pedestrian bridge and the Olentangy Trail have reopened. Access to campus from the trail is available at Woody Hayes Drive and 12^th Avenue. By early September, additional connections between the trail and campus, south of the Sisson Hall pedestrian bridge, will open. Progress continues on the Cannon Drive – Phase 2 project. View details online.

If you’ve driven past Cannon Drive this summer, you’re bound to have noticed either the large hole in the ground, the massive concrete stormwater chambers being installed, or a variety of construction equipment. It’s all in the name of a 500-year flood protection plan. 

Facilities Operations and Development (FOD) has been working to construct a certified Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) flood protection levee along Cannon Drive. Once completed and certified, the university will be more protected from a 500 year storm event from the Olentangy River.

The Chelsea FC vs. Manchester City soccer game will take place at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, August 3 at 5:30 p.m. Motorists should plan for increased parking demand and travel delays on and around campus from approximately 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on August 3. During this time, the Olentangy Trail reroute around Ohio Stadium will be moved east to Tuttle Park Place.

From July 1 through mid-August, west stadium parking lot access will be available only from the south via Cannon Drive. The Sisson Hall pedestrian bridge will be closed July 1 to July 31. Pedestrians will be redirected to Woody Hayes Drive and John Herrick Drive to access areas east of Olentangy River.  From July 8 through July 22, the west stadium parking lot will be closed.

Beginning May 28 and continuing through early July, the Olentangy Trail reroute along Cannon Drive, between the 12^th Avenue SR-315 southbound onramp and Herrick Drive, will be moved to the east side of Cannon Drive and north side of Herrick Drive.  

A stormwater detention system with the ability to hold up to seven acre-feet (more than two million gallons) of storm water is being installed at the Cannon Drive Relocation – Phase 2 site. 

Crews start by digging out the site and preparing the sub-grade. Next, geogrid is placed in the base stone, followed by installation of Storm Traps. Once complete, the system will temporarily store runoff underground before releasing it at a controlled rate to avoid flooding and other effects of stormwater runoff. 

The Cannon Drive Relocation – Phase 2 project is on track to be completed by January 2025. FOD and construction crews are working on utility installation. Certified flood levee construction is paused, per weather restrictions, and will resume in April. Since September 2023, crews have opened Herrick Drive, built the Lincoln Parking lot, demolished the Drake Performance Center and performed work on the levee.