The newly constructed flyover and tunnel ramps in Eastgate are expected to open in late August or early September.

The newly constructed flyover and tunnel ramps in Eastgate are expected to open in late August or early September.
By Megan Alley
Sun staff

The newly constructed flyover and tunnel ramps in Eastgate are expected to open in late August or early September, if the weather permits.

The ramps are part of road construction work on the Interstate 275/state Route 32 interchanges.

“There’s nothing wrong with the tunnel,” said Jason Haus, Clermont County resident engineer for the Ohio Department of Transportation in the monthly Clermont County Transportation Improvement District meeting on July 10.

“There’s a lot of misinformation out there about the tunnel. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the tunnel. It’s just that there are some things that need to be finished up with the road leading into it,” he added. “The tunnel itself is done, and the lights work. There’s no glare. It’s just that we decided to keep it closed because there is some work that still needs to be done on the ramps.”

All road construction work on I-275/state Route 32 interchanges is scheduled to wrap up by Labor Day.

“A lot still depends on weather,” said Brian Cunningham, communications manager for the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Cunningham said there are a few projects that still need to be completed in the area.

On the northbound side of I-275, the bridge over the closed section needs to be painted, a guardrail will be installed along the median and permanent pavement markings will be added.

Northbound traffic will be switched to its final, and permanent, configuration with a right lane and shoulder closure in-place to finish painting the steel on the ramp bridge over I-275.

In addition, westbound state Route 32 needs to be resurfaced and a third lane will be added heading west.

The eastbound and northbound circle ramp will be reopened, and the temporary left turn ramp will be removed. 

“I think we’re going to see a big improvement with the I-275/state Route 32 interchanges opening,” Cunningham said.