ODOT I70 and SR315 Tree Clearing
In April 2024, ODOT contractors removed every tree along Thomas and Green South of Sullivant in the ODOT right-of-way. ODOT’s guidelines require a 30-foot area from the guardrail for sightlines and access. In Franklinton the cleared areas reach up to 110 feet.
Find the DOT technical manuals with internal standards here:
1. Clear Zones 2. Vegetation Management Permitting
Removing 30ft of vegetation would have left all of the trees outside of the yellow area
Before and After
ODOT cited multiple justifications for clearing:
Removal of invasive species, though native species were also cleared
Improving access for highway maintenance and emergency services even in areas with steep and inaccessible
Addressing unhoused encampments
General deferred maintenance
What has been planted?
After clearing, ODOT seeded the slopes with non-native grass species and initially indicated they did not plan to mow or manage this area, but have now established a mowing contract along Thomas, but not Green. Some trees have been planted on the City of Columbus right of way and more are planned for Summer/Fall 2026. ODOT does not plan to plant any trees on their right of way.
Noise wall scheduled for 2031 along Thomas
After years of advocacy, part of Franklinton is now scheduled to have a noise wall built to mitigate highway impacts. The project is not scheduled until 2031. Residents can look up the project and updates on the ODOT project website, search for Project ID (PID) 125453.
Community Advocacy Continues
Community members and organizations are working to explore pathways to complete the noise wall for all of Franklinton as well as more trees neighborhood-wide and especially along the highway corridors.