232.5 Freeways

Freeways are major rural and urban arterial roadways with full control of access. They are intended to provide for high levels of safety and efficiency in the movement of large volumes of traffic at high speeds. Control of access refers to the regulation of public access rights to and from properties abutting the roadway. With full control of access, preference is given to through traffic by only providing access connections with selected public roads. At-grade crossings and direct private driveway connections are prohibited.

The principal advantages of access control include preservation of roadway capacity, higher speeds and improved safety for the roadway user. Roadways with fully controlled access have grade separations at all railroads and grade separations or interchanges at selected public crossroads (additional information can be found in Access Management Guidelines). The remaining crossroads are interconnected or terminated.

Essential freeway elements include the roadway, medians, grade separations at crossroads, ramps to and from the traveled way at selected locations and in some cases frontage roads (typical sections are available).