'limited-access' originates from the combination of 'limited' and 'access', where 'limited' means 'restricted in size, amount, or extent' and 'access' means 'the means or opportunity to approach or enter a place'.

'limited-access' evolved from the need to describe roads or areas where entry is controlled or restricted.

Initially, it meant 'restricted entry', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.