Interstate 71

Interstate 71 Kentucky
Interstate 71 Ohio
Louisville, KY ↔ Cleveland, OH•345.57 miles•2 Branch Routes

Overview

I-71 / OH 176 double deck freeway - Cleveland
Just prior to the northern end at the Tremont neighborhood in Cleveland, the northbound lanes of Interstate 71 form a double-deck freeway with the ending SR 176 north. The southbound lanes of both freeways travel at-grade nearby. Photo by Steve Hanudel (06/18/06).

Originating in Louisville, Kentucky, Interstate 71 travels northeast to Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland in Ohio. I-71 has more miles to the east of Interstate 75 than it does to the west of I-75.

The route of I-71 through northern Kentucky takes the freeway across hilly terrain to the south of the Ohio River. Wide medians and steep hillsides are encountered along the route. One such stretch in Carroll County, south of the Kentucky River, is where a tragic bus crash occurred on May 14, 1988. 27 people died when a wrong way drunk driver collided with a church bus. Signs are posted at the site in each direction.

North of Walton, I-71/75 combine through the south suburbs of Cincinnati through Florence, Erlanger and Fort Mitchell. The pair reach urban Covington and cross the Ohio River along the double decked Brent Spence Bridge. Future construction along the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor will add a second span adjacent to the cantilever bridge opened in 1963. The preferred alternative for the companion span to the west was approved in 2012. It will separate local and through traffic while expanding capacity.

Within the Buckeye State, Interstate 71 turns east between the Ohio Riverfront and Downtown Cincinnati along Fort Washington Way before curving northward through Lytle Tunnel along a winding route to Norwood, Kenwood and Blue Ash. Leaving the Cincinnati suburbs, I-71 turns easterly again across a mixture of agricultural and forest land toward the Columbus metropolitan area.

Entering the suburbs of Columbus at Grove City, Interstate 71 curves northward to parallel the Scioto River ahead of Downtown. The freeway combines with I-70 across the river along the southern periphery of the central business district before resuming a northward course to the east of Downtown. This stretch is slated for improvements due to the weaving traffic patterns of the I-71 mainline. Interstate 71 otherwise continues north through the capital city to exit it near Worthington and Westerville.

Beyond Columbus, Interstate 71 transitions back into a rural freeway north to Berkshire where it bends northeast for the Cleveland area. Bypassing Mansfield to the east, I-71 traverses a swampy area by Charles Mill Lake ahead of Ashland. Remaining rural, the freeway extends northeast to meet the west end of I-76 near Westfield Center and south end of I-271 outside Medina.

The outer suburbs of Cleveland ensue along the northward drive by Brunswick and Strongsville, with I-71 passing by Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport (CLE) along an increasingly urban route at Brook Park. The final stretch of I-71 takes the route east from the airport area through west Cleveland and northern Brooklyn. The route overtakes the north end of the Jennings Freeway (State Route 176) before ending at I-90 and I-490 and the Innerbelt.

Mileage by State

Kentucky97.42 mi
Ohio248.02 mi

Data Sources

December 31, 2021 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

June 18, 2025 Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Straight Line Diagrams. https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/programs/technical-services/tech-services-card-catalog/sld

High Priority Corridor

Interstate 71 in Ohio is part of High Priority Corridor 78.

Parallel U.S. Routes

Interstate 71 largely follows U.S. 42 from Louisville to Cleveland. U.S. 25 and U.S. 127 tie into the corridor where I-71 overlaps with I-75, and U.S. 22 parallels I-71 northeast from Cincinnati to Wilmington in Ohio. North from Wilmington, U.S. 62 accompanies the freeway corridor into Downtown Columbus, where U.S. 23 ties in and runs just west of I-71 to Orange.

Major Projects

Kentucky

Within Louisville, Kentucky, major improvements and upgrades were completed at the "Spaghetti Junction" (Kennedy Interchange) between I-64, I-65, and I-71 as part of the larger Ohio River Bridge Project. The new Abraham Lincoln Bridge opened for Interstate 65 across the Ohio River on December 6, 2015. It carries northbound traffic to Jeffersonville, Indiana, previously accommodating both directions of I-65 during reconstruction of the adjacent John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge for southbound traffic. The exchange at the south end of the crossing was redesigned to better connect the three Interstates. Work included extended ramps linking the bridges with Interstate 71 independent of the I-64 mainline. This eliminated weaving traffic patterns and conflict points. Construction commenced on the Downtown Crossing project in July 2013. Work ran through 2016.1

Ohio

Within Columbus, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) previously proposed a pair of plans to deal with worsening congestion in Downtown. One option was to reroute Interstate 70 south of its current alignment between Exit 98/U.S. 42 and near Milepost 106. Presented in November 2003, another option proposed separating through traffic on I-70/71 from traffic bound for Downtown. The I-70/I-71 South Innerbelt Corridor Study was developed between 2002 and 2004. It resulted in three possible alternatives with the addition of collector distributor lanes or streets. Potential construction would begin in 2008 and conclude in late 2010. Design of the project commenced in 2005.2

Renamed the Columbus Crossroads project and then the I-70/I-71 Downtown Ramp Up mega project, work to unravel the weave of I-70 and I-71 was packaged in the larger $1.4 billion umbrella of projects that included rebuilding the junction between I-71 and Interstate 670 to the north. The I-670 project (Phase 1) was completed in November 2013 as were subsections of Phase 2 including the Africentric School retaining wall, the Mound Street Connector and the 18th Street Bridge. The remainder of Phase 2, including work at the east junction between I-70 and 71 (Project 2D - East Interchange), was scheduled to start in 2017, but a lack of funding in 2016 for the $166 million project pushed this back to 2018.3 Costing an estimated $246 million, Phase 4B (I-70/71 South Innerbelt) is anticipated for construction from Fall 2023 to Fall 2026.

History

The Kentucky portion of Interstate 71 was built between November 1965 and July 1969.4

Interstate 71 in Ohio was established in 1962; the freeway was completed through the state by 1975. I-71 combines with Interstate 75 across the Brent Spence Bridge, a cantilever bridge with a double deck linking Covington, Kentucky with Downtown Cincinnati. Maintained by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KTYC), both decks of the Brent Spence Bridge were reconfigured in 1985 from three 12 foot lanes with five foot shoulders to four 11 foot lanes with one foot shoulders. The two Interstates partition at the north end of the span, with I-71 joining U.S. 50 (Fort Washington Way) east along a below grade freeway.

Cleveland, OH - 1966
The planned alignment taking I-71 northeast along the Innerbelt Freeway to SR 2 (Cleveland Memorial Shoreway) appeared on the 1961 Ohio Official Highway map and on this 1996 map of Cleveland .

Fort Washington Way was incorporated in the 1940s Metropolitan Master Plan for Cincinnati and constructed from 1959 to July 1961.6 The trenched freeway was designed with split roadways, a number of left exit ramps and curved portions along I-71 southbound. The city of Cincinnati outlined Fort Washington Way 2000 to rebuild the freeway and incorporated the project as part of new plan for the Cincinnati Riverfront {Renaissance on the River). The city commissioned the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) to conduct a sub-corridor analysis for Fort Washington Way in 1995. The analysis was underway in January 1996, and a plan for reconstructing Fort Washington Way was produced by OKI the following year. Design contracts were let by September 1997, with the state of Ohio committing $80 million in project funding the next month.7

Reconstruction of Fort Washington Way commenced on July 2, 1998, with the first section of new roadway opened in October 1999. The remainder of the freeway was completed and opened to traffic in August 2000. A formal dedication for the project took place on December 20, 2000, while final paving work for the $313 million project continued until June 2001.8 The resulting work realigned the mainline so that both roadways of I-71 ran side by side and eliminated all left exit ramps. 27 new bridges were constructed along with new ramps from the Brent Spence Bridge east to 2nd Street. Work reconstructed the Third Street Viaduct and 3rd Street along I-71 into a landscaped boulevard. 2nd Street was also built as a landscaped boulevard along the south side of Fort Washington Way.7

Within Columbus, I-71 originally included portions of Interstate 670 north of Downtown and the freeway along State Route 315 west of Downtown. That dual configuration between that alignment and the route along I-70 and east of Downtown was removed in 1976.5

Northward in Cleveland, early Interstate proposals extended Interstate 71 along the Innerbelt Freeway to State Route 2 (Cleveland Memorial Shoreway), which was the original route slated for I-90. I-90 was proposed to run north along the unconstructed Parma Freeway from the Northwest Freeway at W 65th Street to Cleveland Memorial Shoreway at the 49th Street interchange. The Shoreway would then take I-90 east by Downtown to the current Dead Man's Curve where the Innerbelt Freeway and SR 2 meet today. The cancellation of the Parma freeway led to the realignment of I-90 east onto the Innerbelt Freeway over what was previously proposed as an alignment of I-80N and later I-290. This alignment appeared on the 1961 Ohio Official Highway map and on the following Cleveland city map from 1966.

Cincinnati, Ohio – 1973
The stretch of Interstate 71 between Norwood and Kenwood, Ohio opened to traffic in 1973. The remaining freeway through Cincinnati was completed by 1975.4
Columbus – 1961 Ohio Official Highway Map
The initial route of I-71 through Columbus took the freeway along the west and north sides of Downtown. The west and north legs of the Columbus Innerbelt also doubled as I-70A officially until the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) eliminated the designation on November 10, 1973. I-71 was dropped from this alignment in 1976.4
I-71, I-80N and I-90 proposed to encircle Downtown Cleveland in 1962.
Interstate 90 proposed along the Parma Freeway leading north from I-80N to the Cleveland Memorial Shoreway. Had this been built, I-71 would have traveled along the Innerbelt Freeway north to the Shoreway.

North End Interstate 90 ‐ Cleveland, OH

Interstate 490 West at Interstate 71 Interstate 90

I-490 west at I-71/90 - Cleveland, OH

Interstate 490 travels a short distance west from I-77 at the North Broadway neighborhood to I-71 south and I-90 west at Tremont. There is no access to I-90 (Innerbelt) east in this direction. 06/14/10

I-490 west at I-71/90 - Cleveland, OH I-490 west at I-71/90 - Cleveland, OH I-490 west at I-71/90 - Cleveland, OH

Interstate 71 North at Interstate 90 Interstate 490

I-71 north at I-90/490 - Cleveland, OH

Interstate 71 north enters a wye interchange with SR 176 (Jennings Freeway), with two lanes continuing to I-90 east and a lane drop for a c/d roadway with the ending Jennings Freeway to I-90 (Northwest Freeway) west and I-490 east. Photo by Eric Stuve (07/02/17).

I-71 north at I-90/490 - Cleveland, OH I-71 north at I-90/490 - Cleveland, OH I-71 north at I-90/490 - Cleveland, OH

Interstate 90 West at Interstate 71

I-90 west at I-71 - Cleveland, OH

Interstate 90 advances south across the George V. Voinovich Bridge over the Cuyahoga River from I-77 to Left Exit 170 B for I-71. Photo by Eric Stuve (10/15/17).

I-90 west at I-71 - Cleveland, OH I-90 west at I-71 - Cleveland, OH I-90 west at I-71 - Cleveland, OH I-90 west at I-71 - Cleveland, OH

Interstate 90 East at Interstate 71 Interstate 490

I-90 east at I-71/490 - Cleveland, OH

Passing through the split diamond interchange (Exit 169) with W 41st and W 44th Streets at Detroit-Shoreway, I-90 (Northwest Freeway) east is one mile ahead of Exit 170 B for I-71 (Medina Freeway) south and Exit 170C for I-490 east. 09/30/10

I-90 east at I-71/490 - Cleveland, OH I-90 east at I-71/490 - Cleveland, OH I-90 east at I-71/490 - Cleveland, OH I-90 east at I-71/490 - Cleveland, OH I-90 east at I-71/490 - Cleveland, OH I-90 east at I-71/490 - Cleveland, OH

North End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

Interstate 71 North at Interstate 90 Interstate 490

I-71 north at I-90/490 - 2006

1.5 miles from the exchange (Exit 247B) with I-90 west and I-490 east. Photo by Tim Kubat (April 2006).

I-71 north at I-90/490 - 2006 I-71 north at I-90/490 - 2006 I-71 north at I-90/490 - 2006 I-71 north at I-90/490 - 2006

Interstate 90 West at Interstate 71

I-90 west at I-71 - 2002

The original span leading south across the Cuyahoga River toward I-71 along I-90 was built in 1959. This span was replaced as part of the 2011-16 Innerbelt Project. 05/25/02

I-90 west at I-71 - 2002 I-90 west at I-71 - 2002 I-90 west at I-71 - 2002

Historic North End Interstate 90 Ohio State Route 2 ‐ Cleveland, OH

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

Interstate 90 East at Ohio State Route 2

I-90 east at SR 2 - Cleveland, OH

Heading north along the Innerbelt Freeway toward Cleveland Memorial Shoreway (SR 2) at the locally known “Dead Man’s Curve”, where a sharp ramp takes I-90 east onto SR 2 toward Bratenhal. Photo by Tim Kubat (April 2006).

I-90 east at SR 2 - Cleveland, OH I-90 east at SR 2 - Cleveland, OH

Ohio State Route 2 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway – East at Interstate 90

SR 2 east at I-90 - Cleveland, OH

Traveling east on State Route 2, the freeway approached the trumpet interchange with Interstate 90. Photo by Tim Kubat (April 2006).

SR 2 east at I-90 - Cleveland, OH SR 2 east at I-90 - Cleveland, OH SR 2 east at I-90 - Cleveland, OH

South End Interstate 64 Interstate 65 ‐ Louisville, KY

Interstate 71 South at Interstate 64 Interstate 65

I-71 south at I-64/65 - Louisville, KY

Interstate 71 remains a four lane freeway southwest from I-264 (Watterson Expressway) to Exit 1 A/B for I-64/65. 09/08/20

I-71 south at I-64/65 - Louisville, KY I-71 south at I-64/65 - Louisville, KY I-71 south at I-64/65 - Louisville, KY I-71 south at I-64/65 - Louisville, KY I-71 south at I-64/65 - Louisville, KY I-71 south at I-64/65 - Louisville, KY

Interstate 64 East at Interstate 71

I-64 east at I-65/71 - Louisville, KY

Interstate 64 lowers from an elevated roadway adjacent to the Ohio River leading into the systems interchange with I-65 and I-71. Two lanes split for Interstate 71 beyond the left exit ramps for I-65. 09/08/20

I-64 east at I-65/71 - Louisville, KY I-64 east at I-65/71 - Louisville, KY I-64 east at I-65/71 - Louisville, KY

Interstate 65 North at Interstate 64 Interstate 71

I-65 north at I-64/71 - Louisville, KY

I-65 (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Expressway) navigates through an elevated S-curve from Downtown Louisville to the multi level interchange (Exit 137) with I-64 and I-71 north. 09/07/20

I-65 north at I-64/71 - Louisville, KY I-65 north at I-64/71 - Louisville, KY I-65 north at I-64/71 - Louisville, KY I-65 north at I-64/71 - Louisville, KY

Interstate 65 South at Interstate 64 Interstate 71

I-65 south at I-64/71 - Louisville, KY

Southbound Interstate 65 crosses the tolled John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge over the Ohio River ahead of the exchange with I-64 and I-71 north. 09/08/20

I-65 south at I-64/71 - Louisville, KY I-65 south at I-64/71 - Louisville, KY I-65 south at I-64/71 - Louisville, KY I-65 at I-64/71 - Louisville, KY I-65 at I-64/71 - Louisville, KY

South End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

Interstate 71 at Interstate 64 Interstate 65

I-71 south at I-64/65 - 2003

Exit 1 A departed I-71 south for Interstate 64 westbound to New Albany. Indiana and Saint Louis, Missouri. The mainline continued to I-65 (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Expressway). Photo by Chris Patriarca (05/26/03).

I-71 south at I-64/65 - 2003 I-64 east at I-71 - 2005 I-64 east at I-71 - 2005

Interstate 65 North at Interstate 64 Interstate 71

I-65 north at I-64/71 - 2010

An arrow per lane (APL) sign replaced the first overhead for Exit 137 (I-64 and I-71 north) on Interstate 65 northbound at Muhammad Ali Boulevard (Exit 136 C). Photo by Chris and Amber Lokken (01/31/10).

I-65 north at I-64/71 - 2010 I-65 north at I-64/71 - 2010 I-65 north at I-64/71 - 2010

Interstate 65 South at Interstate 64 Interstate 71

I-65 south at I-64/71 - 2003

One mile north of the Kennedy Interchange joining I-65 with I-64 and Interstate 71 north at Downtown Louisville. Photo by Chris Patriarca (05/26/03).

I-65 south at I-64/71 - 2003 I-65 south at I-64/71 - 2003 I-65 south at I-64/71 - 2003 I-65 south at I-64/71 - 2003 I-65 south at I-64/71 - 2003 I-65 at I-64/71 - 2003

References

  1. Kentucky-Indiana Bridges. Retrieved from http://www.kyinbridges.com
  2. "Plan takes I-70 out of Downtown." Columbus Dispatch, February 7, 2004.
  3. Next Phase of Interstate 70/71 Construction Delayed Until 2018. (2016, April 12). Columbus Underground. Retrieved from https://columbusunderground.com/next-phase-of-interstate-7071-construction-delayed-until-2018/
  4. Carlyle, J. (2023, May 11). Interstate 71. KentuckyRoads.com. Retrieved from https://www.kentuckyroads.com/i-71/
  5. Simpson, J. Route 71. The Unofficial Ohio State Highways Web Site. Retrieved from http://pages.prodigy.net/john.simpson/highways/071.html
  6. "No Respect for Noble Roadway." Cincinnati Post, The (OH), January 26, 2004.
  7. City of Cincinnati. (2016, September 26). Fort Washington Way 2000. online slide presentation. Retrieved from https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cityofcincinnati/cache/file/AB5AAC2A-B843-495A-B160075D01C31C07.pdf
  8. "Final paving to begin on Ft. Washington Way." Cincinnati Post, The (OH), May 17, 2001.
Updated June 3, 2022