Existing Conditions

History of the Area: I-76 and I-77 in Akron were originally designed in the mid-1950s as a local effort to provide safe, high-speed highways for rapidly-growing traffic volumes (undoubtedly the local initiatives were influenced by other similar national efforts). When the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (the Eisenhower Interstate System) was enacted into federal law, the Central Interchange and I-76/I-77 (West Leg) were incorporated into that system.  Initial construction on most parts of the Akron West Leg was completed in the early 1960s. The major addition of the SR 59 interchange was completed in 1986.  Other changes for safety and operational reasons have included:

• Eliminating a westbound entrance ramp from Russell Street (companion to the South Street exit ramp) with the construction of the (partial) SR 59 interchange (1986);
• Eliminating two ramps to Johnson Street from ramps within the Central Interchange (southbound exit ramp was closed in 2002 and the northbound entrance ramp was closed in 1982);
• Eliminating the Lovers Lane northbound entrance ramp and restricting access to the exit ramp to I-77 southbound traffic (1982) and;
• Restricting I-77 (ramps) in the Central Interchange to one lane (each direction) in 1973.

Within the last five years major signs have been replaced and the mainline has been resurfaced. Yet even though many components of the original freeway system through the project are have undergone periodic maintenance, there has been no major reconstruction since the initialconstruction in the early 1960's.  Consequently, some of the original design elements are no longer able to efficiently handle the current and future traffic demands.  The result of this has been an increase in congestion with related safety issues experienced by the motoring public.