Phase One of the South Waggoner Road improvements project from Priestly Drive to Main Street in Reynoldsburg has finally been completed, and the roadway is now open to traffic going southbound, the city’s website and police department confirm.
The road has been open to northbound traffic only for most of the time since the project began in March 2024 with tree clearing, though northbound traffic has shifted from the east side lane to the west side lane as needed. But on its Waggoner Road Improvements Project website, the city announced July 17:
“Waggoner Road Phase 1 is open! While the road work is complete, there is still additional work to be done that may restrict lanes. Work remaining includes the sidewalk at the corner of Main Street and Lancaster, landscaping work along the roadway, electrical work for the street lights, and adjustments of the traffic light at Priestley [Drive at the Quarry Park subdivision] and Waggoner Road. This work should not cause long delays in traffic.”
But the pain is far from over for Reynoldsburg area residents and others who rely on South Waggoner Road, a major north-south artery.
South Waggoner Road Phase 2 (from Priestley Drive to East Broad Street) will tentatively begin after Labor Day on Sept. 8, weather permitting. Before that, motorists may see work being done along that stretch by AEP, Columbia Gas, and other utilities over the next few weeks.
The timeline for construction of Phase 2 is 550 days from when construction crews are on site Sept. 8. A general schedule will be posted after the city’s Tomato Festival Aug. 13-15 on the project’s website.
However, the Phase One timeline had numerous extensions due to weather and the extent of the work involved in improving the corridor for vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic as well as the access for residential neighborhoods, schools and churches along South Waggoner. Many of the delays involved relocation and/or upgrading utilities.
According to the website, the total project involves these elements:
• Installation of a new larger public water main.
• Addition of a middle turn lane throughout the entire length of the project.
• Installation of concrete curbs and gutters along with a new storm sewer system.
• Replacement of three (3) large culverts.
• Reconstruction and widening of the bridge over French Run.
• Installation of street lighting to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety.
• Complete sidewalk and shared-use path connectivity as well as federally mandated Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps along the entire corridor.
• Installation of two (rectangular rapid flashing beacons at important mid-block pedestrian crossings near Saint Pius and Messiah Lutheran churches and schools.
• Relocation of several private utility lines, including a new larger natural gas main.
Reynoldsburg officials had originally hoped that paving work on South Waggoner could begin in late November or early December 2025. But on Dec. 8, this update was posted on the project website:
“The City of Reynoldsburg regrets to inform you that the paving of Waggoner Road will not occur in 2025. While some objectives for Waggoner Road are within our control, utility work and weather are aspects we cannot control, which has caused this delay. We are hopeful to complete paving in early 2026. In the meantime, you may see crews finishing up on various parts of the project as well as utility work in preparation for future paving and the second phase of Waggoner Road. Thank you for your patience as our crews continue to work on this project.”
Final paving, however, did not occur in early 2026 and did not begin until late May, according to the website.
Jim Wilhelm can be reached at jwilhelm@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Southbound lanes of Waggoner Road in Reynoldsburg open, but work remains
Reporting by Jim Wilhelm, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jim Wilhelm, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
