If you live in Carroll or Bloom Township, you have likely noticed the steady drumbeat of improvements along US‑33. You might be asking what a new interchange or wider lanes means for your home’s value and your daily drive. You deserve clear, local answers. In this guide, you will learn what is changing on US‑33, how those changes can affect different properties in Carroll, and practical steps to protect or grow your equity. Let’s dive in.
What is changing on US‑33 near Carroll
ODOT and MORPC are advancing projects along the US‑33 southeast corridor to improve safety, reduce delays, and support regional growth. The two most relevant items for Carroll are a new grade‑separated interchange at Pickerington Road and a corridor plan to widen US‑33 in key segments between I‑270 and the Fairfield County line.
Pickerington Road interchange
ODOT’s preferred plan replaces the at‑grade Pickerington Road and US‑33 intersection with a grade‑separated interchange and new service roads. The project also removes several direct access points and a nearby at‑grade rail crossing to improve safety and traffic flow. Public materials note the environmental document was completed in fall 2022, with right‑of‑way and design phases following. For the latest maps and schedule, review ODOT’s project page for the Pickerington Road interchange (PID 77555) at the official public input site.
Widening and safety upgrades toward Fairfield County
Regional planning materials describe widening portions of US‑33 from four to six lanes and replacing selected at‑grade intersections, including Bixby Road and Rager Road, with safer, grade‑separated solutions. Work phases have been discussed in the 2023 to 2026 window. For regional context and public updates, see MORPC’s US‑33 corridor project notes.
How projects influence home values
Highway improvements often affect nearby home prices in mixed ways. The net result depends on your distance from the roadway, your access to interchanges, and whether noise mitigation is feasible.
Accessibility and commute reliability
Faster, more predictable access typically raises demand for homes in commuter communities. Research on transportation access shows that improved travel times and reliability are linked to higher housing values in areas that connect to job centers, especially when buyers trade commute time for lower housing costs. See examples in the hedonic literature on transport access and pricing.
Safety improvements
Replacing high‑crash, at‑grade intersections with interchanges tends to reduce delays and improve perceived safety, which buyers value. ODOT’s rationale for the Pickerington Road project highlights these safety gains. For details and current project status, consult the ODOT project page.
Economic spillovers from job growth
Corridor upgrades can support logistics and industrial growth across southeast Columbus. Activity around the Rickenbacker International Airport area has been a regional driver of employment and distribution, which can increase nearby housing demand. For background on this hub and its logistics role, review the Rickenbacker overview.
The downside near the roadway
Homes immediately adjacent to more or faster lanes can face higher noise, vibration, and visual impacts. Federal rules require noise studies on qualifying highway projects and set criteria for abatement such as walls or berms when feasible and cost‑effective, but mitigation is not guaranteed. You can learn how those decisions are made in the FHWA’s noise guidance.
Timing of impacts
Price effects often arrive in phases. Announcement can spark interest, construction can create short‑term nuisance, and the 1 to 5 years after completion often show the clearest benefits for well‑located properties. Because public timelines can shift, check the ODOT page for the current schedule before locking in a move or pricing plan.
What it may mean for different parts of Carroll
- Likely beneficiaries: Homes that sit a short, quiet drive from improved interchanges and enjoy quicker access to I‑270 or major job centers often see stronger buyer interest. Properties in established neighborhoods within the village or Bloom Township that are served by the Bloom‑Carroll Local School District can become more attractive as access improves, though results vary by property and location.
- Potentially at risk: Homes that back directly to US‑33 or face expanded lanes may see muted appreciation unless effective mitigation is built or landscaping and design features reduce exposure. Local streets that experience added cut‑through traffic could also feel some pressure unless access management changes.
- Local market size: Carroll is small, so a few sales can move headline price figures. Use the most recent 12 to 24 months of closed MLS comps in Carroll and nearby ZIPs for the clearest picture.
Practical steps for sellers
- Highlight access: If your location benefits from shorter, more predictable commutes, make that part of your marketing story. Buyers value time.
- Document mitigation: If a noise study or abatement is planned near you, keep those documents handy and note any landscaping or window upgrades that reduce perceived noise.
- Price with fresh comps: Lean on the most recent 12 months of closed MLS sales in Carroll and ZIP 43112 to set a realistic list price.
- Plan for construction: If construction activity is active nearby, prepare for showing schedules that avoid heavy work hours and keep exterior maintenance sharp.
Practical steps for buyers
- Test the drive: Time your actual commute in both directions during peak hours, not just at mid‑day.
- Check the plans: Ask about ODOT’s noise studies, access changes, and any proposed walls or berms near the property. The ODOT project page is the best starting point.
- Weigh orientation: Homes that sit near improved access but do not face the highway tend to be easier to live in and resell than those that directly front or back to high‑speed lanes.
- Think resale: Favor locations with quick but quiet access over immediate frontage on US‑33.
Indicators to watch
- Funding milestones: TRAC and ODOT funding approvals signal momentum. For a recent funding snapshot, see this summary of TRAC approvals.
- Regional job growth: Logistics and industrial announcements along the southeast corridor can add to demand. The Rickenbacker area is a useful bellwether, described in the airport’s overview.
- Market velocity: Track days on market and list‑to‑sale ratios in Carroll and nearby suburbs to see how demand responds as projects advance.
The bottom line for Carroll homeowners
US‑33 improvements are designed to make travel safer and more reliable. For many Carroll properties, especially those near improved interchanges but away from the roadway edge, that can translate into stronger buyer interest over time. For homes that front the highway, the value story depends on final design details, noise outcomes, and on‑site mitigation. The smartest move is to stay informed, price with current local comps, and plan your timing around the project schedule.
Ready to talk strategy for your address, your commute, and your timing? Reach out to Kim Kovacs and Partners, Coldwell Banker Realty for local guidance backed by proven results.
FAQs
Will the Pickerington Road interchange raise my home value in Carroll?
- It can, especially if you gain a shorter, more reliable commute without living directly on US‑33; check the ODOT project details and compare recent local comps before pricing.
How close to US‑33 is too close for noise concerns in Carroll?
- Homes that front or back directly to expanded lanes are most exposed; FHWA requires noise studies on qualifying projects and considers abatement when feasible, as outlined in federal guidance.
When will US‑33 construction wrap up near Carroll?
- Public timelines have shifted across planning and funding cycles; for the most accurate current schedule, rely on ODOT’s official project page and recent MORPC updates.
How should I price my Carroll home during US‑33 construction?
- Use the most recent 12 months of closed MLS comps in Carroll and ZIP 43112, adjust for any construction nuisance, and highlight access benefits if your location gains from the interchange.
What if I am buying in Bloom Township but commute to Rickenbacker?
- Test the peak‑hour commute, favor locations with quick but quiet access to US‑33, and watch job trends around the Rickenbacker logistics hub when assessing long‑term demand.
