No 475-Ohio Turnpike Interchange? (Columbus, Cleveland: live, mall, transportation) - City-Data Forum

trizz75 · 08-24-2011, 05:48 PM

I thought I would ask this informed forum as to why such a junction doesn't exist? It's awfully inconvenient trying to go to Cleveland from the west side of town without this interchange...

rrtechno · 08-24-2011, 08:24 PM

Which part of the west side are you coming from? There is the turnpike interchange at Reynolds Road which is only a mile and a half away from the 475/Dussel Drive interchange in Maumee.

trizz75 · 08-25-2011, 09:23 AM

That's true, but I still don't understand the rationale of not having a direct connection to not one but two major highways (475 and US 23).

ryansmith · 08-25-2011, 10:33 AM

I have yet to meet anyone that can make sense of that interchange... and to make things worse, it drops you off in blight-town. I am sure there is an engineering reason... I hope.

trizz75 · 08-25-2011, 09:13 PM

I almost feel compelled to contact ODOT or Toledo Transportation in order to find the reason for this.

rrtechno · 08-26-2011, 05:58 AM

That interchange has been there since the turnpike was opened back in the 50's, one of the original 17 interchanges across the state - LONG before there was a 23/475 loop. I'm sure it was out in the country, but it was at a major highway (US 20). After the turnpike was opened, there was much development in this area and it was really"hopping" for many years. It was a very busy "destination point" for many years, especially for people who lived to the west. The "blight-town" referred to above only came about in relatively recent history. There have been efforts to revitalize and keep this area going, but apparently not a lot of support from the general public.

AnytimeAnywhere · 08-26-2011, 04:05 PM

An exit that doesn't need to be there is the one in Elmore. That's got to be one lonely toll booth worker.

ram2 · 08-27-2011, 08:29 PM

Why is there no Interstate freeway connecting Toledo to Columbus? US 23 doesn't cut it.

Tobias C · 08-28-2011, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ram2

Why is there no Interstate freeway connecting Toledo to Columbus? US 23 doesn't cut it.

All I know is I hate the drive from Toledo to Columbus. It's too stop and go once you get into the northern suburbs on 23. 23 isn't too bad most of the way but local roads intersect it and keep you from maintaining a fast pace.

Tobias C · 08-28-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrtechno

That interchange has been there since the turnpike was opened back in the 50's, one of the original 17 interchanges across the state - LONG before there was a 23/475 loop. I'm sure it was out in the country, but it was at a major highway (US 20). After the turnpike was opened, there was much development in this area and it was really"hopping" for many years. It was a very busy "destination point" for many years, especially for people who lived to the west. The "blight-town" referred to above only came about in relatively recent history. There have been efforts to revitalize and keep this area going, but apparently not a lot of support from the general public.

I don't see the Reynolds Corridor ever taking off again unless something major goes in at the Southwyck site. Like something along the lines of a new mall or IKEA or something, and neither of those are likely. I think that this area is now obsolete. the most desirable areas now for development are on the edge of the city in the furthest reaching suburban areas. Areas like this, that were once booming and are now struggling to stay relevant is what you get when you don't carefully plan development.