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Transport Upgrade Creating New Commuter Suburb
A new interchange and dedicated bus lanes along I-77 will turn the Ellet neighborhood into Akron's latest option for residents who work downtown or in nearby industrial parks.
How we reported this
The Ohio Department of Transportation gave final approval on June 12 for a $178 million interchange at I-77 and East Market Street, scheduled to open in late 2028, that will cut drive times from Ellet to downtown Akron to under 12 minutes.
The project comes as Summit County records show a 19 percent rise in building-permit applications for single-family homes in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, driven by buyers priced out of closer-in neighborhoods.
Ellet land rush
City planning staff have already rezoned 47 acres east of the Akron-Summit County Public Library branch on Canton Road for mixed-use development, with the first 180 townhomes expected to break ground next spring. The site sits less than a mile from the new interchange and will connect via an extended bike path to the University of Akron's new student-housing complex on East Exchange Street. Local real-estate agents report multiple offers on vacant lots along Canton Road within days of the rezoning vote.
Developers have also filed plans for a 92-unit apartment building at the corner of Ellet and Mogadore roads, citing direct access to the new METRO RTA express bus that will run in dedicated lanes from the interchange to the Goodyear headquarters campus.
Price signals
Median sale prices in Ellet reached $168,400 in May 2026, up 14 percent from May 2025, according to Summit County auditor data. That remains well below the $229,000 median recorded in the Highland Square neighborhood on the west side. Commuters who moved to Ellet last year report saving an average of 19 minutes each way compared with routes through downtown construction zones.
Buyers considering the area should contact the Summit County Planning Department before July 31 to review the final traffic-impact study and confirm which parcels will be served by the new water-main extension funded through the county's 2027 capital budget.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.