Innerbelt Freeway

An Innerbelt Freeway is a set of freeway facilities arranged in a loop that serves the interior of a major city, primarily as a traffic reliever for downtown commuters. In comparison, an "Outerbelt Freeway" or "Beltway" typically refers to freeway facilities serving the perimeter of a central city and/or its suburbs.

Cities with Innerbelts

• Akron, Ohio – Akron's Innerbelt is designated as Ohio State Route 59, from its terminus at Interstate 76 (I-76) to its proposed end at State Route 8.
• Charlotte, North Carolina – Charlotte's Innerbelt is composed of I-277 orbiting to the east, south, and north of downtown and of I-77 covering the west side.
• Cleveland, Ohio – Cleveland's Innerbelt is formed by the confluence of I-90 and the northern termini of I-71 and I-77. This short stretch of highway ends at "Dead Man's Curve".[1] Cleveland's Innerbelt was planned as a closed loop.[2]

The highway is in the early stages of an extensive rebuild[3] (the Record of Decision was issued on September 18, 2009[4][5]). This rebuild includes replacement of the Innerbelt Bridge along its route by the George V. Voinovich Bridges.

• Columbus, Ohio – In Columbus, the Innerbelt is formed by I-670 to the north, I-71 to the east, I-70 to the south, and Ohio State Route 315 to the west (Interstate 270 serves as the Outerbelt).

See also

• Interstate 695 (Massachusetts), an innerbelt highway that was planned but not ultimately built
• Inner/Outer labeling

References

1. "Innerbelt Freeway". Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. Case Western Reserve University. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
2. An Express Highway Plan for the Cleveland Metropolitan Area (Map). Regional Association of Cleveland, Public Works Committee, Express Highway Sub-committee. 1944-02-29.
3. Innerbelt Plan. Ohio Department of Transportation.
4. "Record of Decision, Cleveland Innerbelt Project". U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Ohio Division, 2009-09-18. Retrieved on 2009-09-21.
5. "ODOT Receives Federal Approval to Proceed with Innerbelt Project" (press release). Ohio Department of Transportation District 12, 2009-09-18. Retrieved on 2009-09-21.