Batavia Township trustee Lee Cornett expressed concerns about the traffic congestion along College Drive during the township meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

“The traffic backs up along College Drive through the day,” said Cornett. “I would like for the local police to look at it and see if there is anything that could be done.”

According to Stephen Young, assistant dean of U.C. Clermont and Clermont Facilities and Technical Services director, there are two main concerns that the college has about the intersection of Clermont College Drive and College Drive.

“Safety of our students turning left or right. The more enrollment grows, the more cars are on the road and more people are affected,” said Young. “The issue of safety in the event of an emergency. If the hill needed to be evacuated quickly, it pretty much couldn’t happen.”

“The other concern is the time delay imposed upon students and other residents on the hill sitting and waiting to get off College Drive,” said Young. “Some days it can take 20 minutes to get from the college doorstep back on Main Street or state Route 32.”

The college has met with the Ohio Department of Transportation about installing a traffic light, but according to Young it would be quite costly and would require some reconfiguration of the exit ramp area for the safety of those coming from the highway.

He noted that the biggest problem occurs between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

“Having a police officer directing traffic at the bottom of the hill between those hours would certainly be a help,” said Young. “The college uses university police officers, but they are not allowed to drive down to 32 Ford and direct traffic since it is not in their jurisdiction.”

A connector road is planned which would allow traffic to flow from the left out of College Drive over to old state Route 74.

According to Doug Royer with the Clermont County Engineers Office, the new connector road will be publicly bid within the next several months.

“We are anticipating that the construction will begin in the spring and the new roadway should be open by fall 2010,” said Royer.

Another concern is the construction of Dimmitt Woods, a senior housing project which will be built behind the post office. The project is slated to have access from College Drive which will add to the already congested area.

“There are no additional plans for improvements to College Drive,” said Royer. “However, if they need arises, we will look at any needed additional improvements after the connector project is completed.”