Through a qualifications-based selection, Carpenter Marty Transportation was chosen to design the realignment of SR 104 (Jackson Pike). This design eliminated the braided ramp at the IR 71 interchange with Frank Road. The existing at-grade crossing of SR 104 and the northbound exit of IR 71 created a significant safety concern. The interchange involves a high volume of truck traffic, as it is a notably industrial area. Consequentially, the braided ramps were causing significant traffic delays and safety issues.

The realignment of SR 104 was required to direct traffic away from the existing northbound ramp. 0.47 mile of roadway was realigned east to provide appropriate separation for a new signalized intersection of SR 104 with Frank Road. The Jackson Pike and Frank Road Improvements design also included the widening and full-depth concrete pavement replacement along 0.11 mile of Frank Road east of IR 71.

During the design of this project, our team coordinated with FRA-71-9.74, a major rehabilitation project on mainline IR 71, as portions of the interchange were reconstructed with that contract. The project area is located in a designated FEMA special flood hazard area. The area required design considerations to ensure the proposed work did not create additional flooding concerns during severe storm events. The project required the relocation of utility towers and power poles. The team was careful in designing a plan which would not interfere with significant utility tunnels, which connected to the City of Columbus Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant at the southern limits of the project area.