Southbound Interstate 71 approaching Junction Ohio 176, the Jennings Freeway (Exit 246) one-half mile and U.S. 42 (Exit 245) three-quarters mile. Exit 246 is another example of a left exit, just like Exits 238-239 along southbound. The next exit is for U.S. 42 (Exit 245), which connects Interstate 71 with its parallel companion U.S. route, U.S. 42. Interestingly, U.S. 42 survived the Ohio U.S. route purge and other parallel U.S. routes, such as U.S. 21 (Interstate 77) and U.S. 25 (Interstate 75) did not. Photo taken 05/25/02.
Southbound Interstate 71 at Junction Ohio 176, the Jennings Freeway (Exit 246). Although not noted as such on the sign, Ohio 176 is a freeway connector that is designed to facilitate traffic flow from southbound Interstate 71 to eastbound Interstate 480 and from westbound Interstate 480 to northbound Interstate 71. Ohio 176 was completed around 1998. Once Ohio 176 was completed, ODOT began reconstruction of the Interstate 77 Kingsbury Bridge between Interstate 490 and Interstate 90 starting in September 1998. The Jennings Freeway was first planned in 1962, so it took 36 years to complete. Photo taken 05/25/02.
Southbound Interstate 71 approaching Exits 238 and 239, Ohio 237 and Interstate 480. This is a major exit because of the airport. Photo taken 05/25/02.
Southbound Interstate 71 at Exits 238 and 239. This is the primary exit from the freeway onto Ohio 237 and Interstate 480, and it also leads to the Cleveland International Airport. Note that there are more lanes exiting to the left than there are continuing south on Interstate 71. Looking at a map, it seems as if Interstate 71 could have been originally proposed to follow the alignment of Ohio 237. However, Steve Hanudel indicates that Ohio 237 went along the airport before it was made into an expressway. "Now, it is possible that Interstate 71 could have planned to align there. Perhaps it would have been better that way, but maybe the planners felt it would be too much traffic, thus a separation." Photo taken 05/25/02.
