BOWLING GREEN, OH — For nearly three decades it was planned. Now, an interchange to provide needed connection is reality.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) recently held an event to celebrate a new interchange at Interstate 475 and U.S. 20A in Maumee, Ohio. The interchange is part of a $102 million project that included reconstruction and expansion of a portion of I-475, and resurfacing of a segment of U.S. 24.
The event was attended by the public, local officials, and area legislators.
"This interchange was built to create efficient transportation connections — notably to the city of Maumee, nearby industrial parks, and to the Toledo airport," said Pat McColley, District Deputy Director for ODOT District 2. "This project is a testament to the importance of financial support from local partners. Frankly, without them, we wouldn't be celebrating a new interchange."
In addition to constructing the interchange, the $102 million project widened 5 miles of I-475 to three lanes in each direction and reconstructed the existing pavement between U.S. 24 and Airport Highway, replaced the bridges over the Norfolk Southern Railroad and over Monclova Road, and resurfaced approximately 3 miles of U.S. 24 from Waterville Monclova Road to just east of the I-475 interchange.
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Work will continue on I-475 to complete the project, with no significant impacts to traffic expected.
The interchange is a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) and will operate exactly like the interchange that opened in 2021 at I-475 and State Route 25 in Perrysburg, Ohio. Crash stats before and after interchange construction show the design eliminated left-turn crashes.
"We expect the DDI design at this location to perform equally well in both safety and efficiency," McColley said.
In the last 10 years, approximately $215 million has been invested in the I-475 corridor, with more significant investment coming. The reconstruction and widening of I-475 between Douglas Road and U.S. 23 is currently under development, while improvement of the section from U.S. 24 to Interstate 75 is planned at some point in the future.
