The other I-480

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October 1, 2013: A grammatically incorrect “Ends 480” in northeastern Ohio sign is placed just south of the Ohio Turnpike, but drivers must exit and travel a short connector to reach I-80.

It’s not possible to travel the entire distance of Interstate 480 in Ohio without paying for it — at least, if you want a full clinch according to the Clinched Highway Mapping website.

Although there are four-lane roads that continue from almost either end of the interstate, you have to get on/off the Ohio Turnpike to see I-480’s start/end points. On the west end, it’s a true partial interchange (off I-80 eastbound, onto I-80 westbound) with a nearby merge/split from the OH 10 freeway just to the east. On the east end, as seen above, OH 14 continues but I-480 travelers must use a short connector that includes the toll plaza. (The “Ends” may be good enough for the layman, but not the roadgeek.)

Ohio and Iowa-Nebraska have the only I-480 interstates in the country. The one in Ohio is the longest child route of I-80 east of the Mississippi River. It skirts the very southernmost part of official Cleveland city limits while I-80 stays far away. It also has a secret spur, not signed on maps or BGSs, officially called “I-480N” that connects to I-271.

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