Ohio Department of Transportation’s Transforming Traffic Flow Through Innovative Right-of-Way Solutions added a third lane on I-480 westbound between I-71 and SR 237 in western Cuyahoga County alongside an additional merging lane, to help alleviate the reoccurring congestion.

All work was completed within the existing footprint of I-480. The two-year, $13.94 million project not only alleviated daily backups—improving safety—but also reduced commute times and improved access to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The Transportation System Management and Operations or TSMO-based project reduced daily commuter delays by 7,270 hours, decreasing from 10,349 hours before to 3,079 hours after finalization.

The project also reduced crashes, decreasing by 13.6 percent annually. With better flow, rear-end crashes have decreased by 19 percent. The group’s determination to use TSMO and performance-based project development criteria improved daily travel times while increasing corridor safety.