Opportunity Corridor
State Route 10 | |
---|---|
Opportunity Corridor Boulevard | |
Route information | |
Existed | 2008–present |
Major junctions | |
West end | ![]() ![]() |
Major intersections | |
East end | ![]() |
Location | |
Country | United States |
State | Ohio |
Counties | Cuyahoga |
Highway system | |
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The Opportunity Corridor is a linear project in Cleveland, Ohio, with a boulevard that connects Interstate 77 (I-77) and I-490 to the University Circle neighborhood. "The purpose of the project is to improve the roadway network within a historically under-served, economically depressed area within the City of Cleveland."[1] The corridor is entirely concurrent with Ohio State Route 10.
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/Opportunity_Corridor%2C_Quadrant_Road%2C_East_55th_%282%29.png/250px-Opportunity_Corridor%2C_Quadrant_Road%2C_East_55th_%282%29.png)
In the 1960s, Cuyahoga County had planned to build a freeway called the Clark Freeway in Cleveland and its environs, part of a network of planned freeways.[2] The entirety of I-490, along with a portion of what later became I-90 westward from the I-71/I-90/I-490 interchange, was built as a result of this project. However, the road was initially proposed to extend to the Outer-belt East Freeway (I-271). The route was ultimately truncated to East 55th Street as a result of freeway revolts.
Later plans for a highway along this general routing included a plan to build a freeway northeastward from East 55th Street to the Cleveland Memorial Shoreway (I-90 and State Route 2), but this plan was rejected in 2002.[3] The route was again proposed by Ken Blackwell during his failed bid for governor in 2006.[4]
The road as built, part of the Inner-belt reconstruction project, is a boulevard connecting I-490 to the University Circle neighborhood. This iteration was conceived in 2008,[5] though references to it existed as early as 2003;[6] its record of decision was issued in May 2014.[1][7] Construction began in March 2015 along the portion east of East 93rd Street;[8][9] this portion opened in two segments in late 2017 and November 2018.[10] After various delays,[11][12] the last section opened November 12, 2021.[13]
The project was estimated in April 2013 to cost $331.3 million by the Federal Highway Administration, or about $100 million per mile.[14]
As of 2023[update], several building projects were underway along the boulevard.[15]
Opposition
The Opportunity Corridor has a number of opponents, including a grassroots group, Clevelanders for Transportation Equity.[16] Many of the objections are rooted in the upheaval of the local community, which is predominantly lower income and African-American.[17][18]
Other local critiques include a report by the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative in which concerns are raised regarding a lack of comprehensive vision, lack of meaningful community engagement, poorly designed green infrastructure, and the absence of true multi-modal integration.[19]
The Opportunity Corridor was also featured in a report by the United States Public Interest Research Group titled, "Highway Boondoggles: Wasted Money and America’s Transportation Future".[20] This report highlights ODOT's poor enforcement of their “fix-it-first” policy as well as the stagnant Vehicle Miles Traveled statistics for the region in contrast with the increased ridership on the Regional Transit Authority.[21]
Major intersections
The entire route is in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County.
mi | km | Destinations | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.0 | 0.0 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Continuation beyond western terminus | ||
Quadrant Road[citation needed] (to East 55th Street) | Western terminus; one-quadrant interchange[22] | ||||
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Quincy Avenue | Signed as East 105th Street beyond this junction | ||||
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![]() | Eastern terminus | ||||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi |
References
- ^ a b HNTB (May 1, 2014). The Cleveland Opportunity Corridor Project: Final Environmental Impact Statement / Record of Decision (PDF). Federal Highway Administration/Ohio Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
- ^ Cuyahoga County, Ohio (August 1966). "Route Location Studies: Clark Freeway, East 55th Street to Outer Belt East Freeway (Report Number 8)". Howard, Needles, Tammen & Bergendoff. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- ^ Exner, Rich (February 15, 2002). "East Side Highway Options Hit Wall: State, Federal Officials Urge Scrapping Plan". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland.
- ^ Wendling, Ted (August 18, 2006). "Foe Blasts Blackwell's 'Summit' with Contractors". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland.
- ^ Nichols, Jim (June 27, 2008). "Cleveland's Opportunity Corridor Project Gets Back on Track". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
- ^ Exner, Rich (December 10, 2003). "Proposal made to improve access to University Circle". The Plain Dealer.
- ^ Grant, Alison (May 29, 2014). "Opportunity Corridor Gets Federal Signoff, Clearing Way for 3.5-Mile Boulevard". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
- ^ Grant, Alison (December 18, 2014). "Inner Belt, Opportunity Corridor Move Along, Road Repair Plan Nixed". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- ^ Grant, Alison (March 13, 2015). "Opportunity Corridor Crews Begin Work on Monday Along a Section of East 105th Street". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
- ^ Staff (November 29, 2018). "Officials cut the ribbon on Opportunity Corridor Section 2" (Press release). Ohio Department of Transportation District 12. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ Litt, Steven (February 14, 2018). "Opportunity Corridor is Back on Track for 2021 Completion after Delay Caused by Taxpayer Lawsuit". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
- ^ Higgs, Robert (November 24, 2020). "Change in Design Will Extend I-490 Construction Work at Opportunity Corridor an Extra Six Months". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ Remington, Kaylee (November 13, 2021). "Opportunity Corridor Boulevard officially opens in Cleveland". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ "Project Overview". Ohio Department of Transportation. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- ^ Ross, Catherine (April 19, 2023). "Development Begins Taking Shape along Opportunity Corridor". WEWS-TV. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ Clevelanders for Transportation Equity. "Clevelanders for Transportation Equity". Clevelanders for Transportation Equity. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ Breckenridge, Tom (July 18, 2011). "Opportunity Corridor's Latest Alignment Would Uproot More than 90 Families, a Dozen Businesses". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
- ^ Stocking, Chris. "Opportunity Nowhere: The Beginner's Guide to Being Outraged Over the $330-Million Opportunity Corridor". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
- ^ Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (March 4, 2014). "Advancing Opportunities: Cleveland's Opportunity Corridor". Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- ^ U.S. Public Interest Research Group (September 18, 2014). "Report: 21st Century Transportation". Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- ^ Inglis, Jeff; Baxandall, Phineas (September 18, 2014). "Highway Boondoggles: Wasted Money and America's Transportation Future" (PDF). U.S. Public Interest Research Group. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- ^ "Opportunity Corridor (Section 3)". Retrieved September 5, 2020.
Further reading
- Breckenridge, Tom (September 18, 2010). "Homes, businesses in Cleveland neighborhoods would be leveled to make way for Opportunity Corridor". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
External links
- Opportunity Corridor by Ohio Department of Transportation