Watkins Road turned into an overnight headache for southeast Columbus drivers yesterday after crews found damage on the bridge that crosses US 33. The city shut down Watkins between Spangler Road and Winchester Pike, which quickly clogged nearby routes and briefly backed up westbound US 33. The I-270 southbound ramp to US 33 was also closed for a time, pushing drivers onto slower local streets around Three Creeks Metro Park.
The City of Columbus Department of Public Service said in a Facebook traffic alert that crews were on scene, traffic control was in place, and engineers were checking the bridge to figure out the extent of the damage. The department said it expected US 33 westbound and the I-270 southbound on-ramp to reopen later yesterday evening, but warned that Watkins Road itself would stay closed while repairs are made. The alert also laid out detour options and explained how visitors could still reach the park, as per the Columbus Department of Public Service.
Closures and detours
In its post, the city spelled out the main closure: "Watkins Rd is closed from Spangler Rd to Winchester Pike due to damage to the bridge over US 33," and pointed drivers to Alum Creek Drive, State Route 104 and Winchester Pike as the primary detours. Access to Three Creeks Metro Park, it noted, is being kept open through Spangler Road and Alum Creek Drive, even while the bridge is off limits.
The Department of Public Service oversees street maintenance and traffic operations across Columbus and regularly uses social media to blast out time-sensitive alerts. Its main information page explains how the city sets up detours, adjusts signal timing and issues work orders when emergency repairs like bridge damage suddenly land on the to-do list, according to the City of Columbus Department of Public Service.
What to expect and longer-term context
Drivers in the area should plan on extra travel time while crews secure the structure, sort out the damage, and start repairs. Detours around a bridge can mean periodic lane shifts or rolling closures near the approaches, especially where a local crossing sits on top of a busy highway. That kind of setup often slows the schedule, particularly when state routes or federally controlled right of way come into play.
The US 33 stretch through this part of Franklin County has already seen a steady drumbeat of planning and construction in recent years. City council and Ohio Department of Transportation records describe ongoing work along the US 33 corridor, including projects that affect ramps and overpasses. When a bridge like the Watkins Road crossing needs attention, that history means multiple agencies have to coordinate, and repairs can easily run days or weeks instead of wrapping up in a single night, as per Columbus City Council Legistar.
For now, the city is urging motorists to keep an eye on local navigation apps and its social channels for any new detours or reopenings. Anyone heading to Three Creeks Metro Park is being told to come in from Spangler Road or Alum Creek Drive until officials give the all-clear for Watkins Road. The latest official word on the closure and repair progress is being posted on the department's Facebook alert, according to the Columbus Department of Public Service.
