Opportunity Corridor - A transportation and economic development project to connect I-490 and University Circle through an historically underserved and economically depressed area , giving a direct connection between Cleveland's airport and University Circle.

Background: I-490 is a part the Interstate Highway network in Cleveland. Originally designed to connect Cleveland's downtown and I-271, through the eastern suburbs, the Clark and Lee freeways were blocked by civic activists on the basis that it would have eliminated the Shaker Lakes. In 1968, a federal law prohibiting the construction of federal highways through public parklands was enacted. The Shaker Lakes Regional Nature Center (now known as The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes) was created on 20 acres of Shaker Lakes, and was subsequently designated as a National Environmental Education Landmark. I-490 terminates at East 55th Street. The Opportunity Corridor will proceed east, connecting with East 105th Street at Quincy Avenue, and proceed north to Chester Avenue. Funding for the $330 million project is from bonds issued by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission.

Project Scope: To document all phases (before, during and after) of the construction project, and the project's impact on the affected neighborhoods.

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