Road work ahead? We sure hope it does.

If you're anything like us, you might let out an audible shriek when you discover your normal drive home has been disrupted by unexpected construction. Alas, that's just the way it goes in Columbus, where our state animal could be a traffic cone. Here are the projects you need to know about (so you can avoid them):

Hayden Run Road

This $2.3+ million project began in July and is expected to end in November 2023. The bridge will be reduced by one lane, but it will make way for a new shared-use path on the southside of the road.

Front Street bridge

Crews started demolition on this bridge over I-70 the first week of September. Much of this area continues to be a congested construction zone, as this portion of the Ramp Up project won't be completed until 2025.

State Route 161

The impacts of Intel are already being felt in central Ohio. The Ohio Department of Transportation began work on widening SR 161 in July and hopes to finish the $112 million investment by next year.

Fifth Avenue

Previously, the road and pedestrian walkway near Battelle received minor improvements, resulting in detours and high traffic in neighborhoods. This small stretch of road in Grandview is now reopen.

Olentangy River Road

Pro tip: Avoid this four-way intersection at Olentangy River Road and John H. Herrick Drive. This is near the Wexner outpatient center on campus where the bridge towards Cannon Drive is closed. As a result, you'll find yourself waiting for long traffic lights with no oncoming cars in sight. Frustrating, we know.

Did we take a detour around your road? Send it our way and we'll drive out the details of these daunting projects.