AEP Transmission Line Work to Cause Temporary Lane Closures on McNaughten Road

Utility crews will be upgrading aging infrastructure on Columbus' Far East Side over the next two months.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:04am

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A high-end studio still life photograph featuring a polished metal electrical transmission tower pole, a coil of copper wire, and a collection of electrical insulators arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the modernization of power grid infrastructure.Upgrading aging power transmission lines aims to improve reliability and reduce outages for local communities.Columbus Today

AEP Ohio is conducting survey work for a transmission line rebuild on Columbus' Far East Side near Reynoldsburg, which will cause temporary lane closures and traffic pattern changes along McNaughten Road through mid-May. The utility says the nearly 70-year-old transmission line requires frequent maintenance and is approaching the end of its useful service life, so crews will be replacing the poles and wires to improve local electric service reliability.

Why it matters

McNaughten Road is a major north-south artery on Columbus' Far East Side, connecting several major thoroughfares and serving numerous residential and commercial areas. The temporary lane closures could cause delays and disruptions for commuters, residents, and businesses in the area during the two-month project.

The details

AEP Ohio said its crews and contractors will be rebuilding a little less than three miles of a 138-kilovolt transmission line that connects the utility's substation off Astor and Roselawn avenues to its East Broad Street substation. The work will begin near Astor Avenue and continue north to Sister Nancy Ganse Lane, just east of Mount Carmel East Hospital and south of East Broad Street. Motorists traveling McNaughten Road can expect temporary lane closures between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with flaggers on site as needed to maintain safe traffic flow.

  • The survey work will begin in early April 2026.
  • Crews will be working in the area through mid-May 2026, weather permitting.

The players

AEP Ohio

The electric utility company conducting the transmission line upgrade project on Columbus' Far East Side.

Mount Carmel East Hospital

A major medical facility located near the transmission line work on McNaughten Road.

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What they’re saying

“The poles and wires along the nearly 70-year-old transmission line have deteriorated and require frequent maintenance. Company representatives need to replace the line as it approaches the end of its useful service life. Installing modern steel poles and wires reduces power outages and improves the local electric service reliability.”

— AEP Ohio

What’s next

AEP Ohio said the lane closures will move as the work progresses, so motorists should check for updates and plan for potential delays when traveling along McNaughten Road over the next two months.

The takeaway

This project highlights the ongoing need for utilities to maintain and upgrade aging infrastructure, even if it means temporary disruptions for the local community. While the lane closures may cause some inconvenience, the end result should be improved electric service reliability for residents and businesses in the area.