 The section between Kirkersville and Gratiot (current exits 122 – 142), was the first new construction opened to traffic (1959).At that time, the highway was accessed at both ends via temporary at-grade intersections with the old National Pike, with I-70 and US 40 sharing the same carriageways.Once the road was extended westward towards Columbus by 1968, access was routed to exit 122, with the western access road continuing US 40 back to the old National Pike becoming part of SR 158 (though the westbound lanes were abandoned).