Police Presence Shuts Down I-270N Near I-70 in Columbus

Authorities have closed a section of the highway due to an unspecified incident, causing major traffic delays.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Police have shut down a portion of Interstate 270 northbound near Interstate 70 in Columbus, Ohio, due to an unspecified incident. The closure has resulted in a significant traffic backup in the area, with ODOT cameras showing congestion as of around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning. Few details have been released about the nature of the police presence or what is causing the closure, but officials say they will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Why it matters

Major highway closures can have widespread impacts, causing delays and disruptions for commuters, commercial traffic, and emergency vehicles. The I-270/I-70 interchange is a critical transportation hub in the Columbus region, so this closure is likely affecting travel across a wide area.

The details

ODOT cameras showed a substantial backup on I-270 northbound near the I-70 interchange as of around 7 a.m. Wednesday. The highway has been closed in this area, but the specific reason for the police presence and closure is unclear at this time. Officials have not provided details on any incidents or events that may have prompted the shutdown.

  • The highway closure was reported around 7 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

ODOT

The Ohio Department of Transportation, which operates the highway cameras and infrastructure in the area.

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What’s next

Authorities have not indicated when the highway may reopen, so commuters should expect delays and seek alternate routes until the situation is resolved.

The takeaway

This closure on a major Columbus highway is likely causing significant disruptions to traffic in the region, underscoring the importance of infrastructure resilience and the need for effective emergency response planning to minimize the impact of such incidents.