After months of extensive construction, the I-475 area near Airport Highway and U.S. 24 in Toledo has undergone a remarkable makeover. Drivers and the Ohio Department of Transportation have been closely observing the progress, and it seems to be going quite smoothly since the switch on Sunday. Norm Abrass, a regular driver on this stretch of I-475 during construction, expressed his delight, stating, "I love the switch, it’s a lot less stress for everyone."

The New Features on the Road

The road was realigned on Sunday, and that's not the only significant change. Kelsie Hoagland, the District 2 public information officer for ODOT, explained that there is a new path for exiting and entering, known as a collector-distributor road. She said, "To exit at Dussel Drive or at the new 20A interchange, you’ll actually start entering or exiting at the exact same merge point … but this is a natural and new way to actually have more protected merges, it’s a safer way to get on and off the interstate without having to merge on interstate speeds." Additionally, drivers may notice new signs on the road, some pointing to Dana Drive. Hoagland clarified that these new signage pieces are for the not-yet-open new US 20A interchange.The interchange is targeted to open by the end of the year, but depending on the project's progress, it could open in 2025. The priority is to open all three highway lanes in both directions by the end of this year. Hoagland also informed 13 Action News that ODOT does not have a projected date for when the northbound lanes will get realigned.In the meantime, crews will be working on Wednesday and Friday. Hoagland emphasized the importance of drivers giving workers space on the road. She said, "Those Southbound lanes are newly reopened. They are quite comfortable and we ask that you please maintain those respected speeds to the posted speed limit."The construction work has brought about a significant improvement to the I-475 area, enhancing safety and providing a more seamless driving experience. With the targeted opening of the interchange and the ongoing efforts of the crews, the future looks promising for this important transportation route.