Andrew Schneider, with TransSystems, talks with Union Township resident Carol Kisner about one of the alternatives for improvements to State Route 32 near Glen Este-Withamsville Road.

Andrew Schneider, with TransSystems, talks with Union Township resident Carol Kisner about one of the alternatives for improvements to State Route 32 near Glen Este-Withamsville Road.
By Kristin Rover
Sun staff

Clermont County residents had an opportunity to provide feedback for future Eastern Corridor improvements set to take place along State Route 32 between Eastgate Boulevard and the interchange to Olive Branch-Stonelick Road in the future.

An open house was held to discuss two alternatives for improvements to State Route 32 beyond Glen Este Withamsville Road in Union Township.

Improvements to the area were first presented in September of 2011 with four alternatives as well as the no-build alternative presented to the public, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Since then, two alternatives were dropped and two were carried forward to preliminary engineering.

Jay Hamilton, project manager with ODOT, said the alternatives presented at the open house include alternatives two and four, both designed to reduce congestion and improve safety in the area.

Alternative Two includes an interchange on SR 32 east of Fayard between Glen Este-Withamsville Road and existing Elick Lane/Bach Buxton Road.

According to ODOT, the alternative would close all access on SR 32 and would not provide direct access to Glen Este-Withamsville Road. The project may include a connector to Aicholtz Road.

“Alternative Two has a single interchange east of Fayard to get on 32,” Hamilton said.

Alternative Four includes an interchange on SR 32 east of Elick Lane/Bach Buxton Road.

According to ODOT, Alternative Four would close all access to SR 32 but provides a westbound exit to Glen-Este Withamsville and an eastbound exit through Clepper Road. In addition, Clepper Road would be extended west toward Bach Buxton Road.

“Alternative four has an interchange east of Elick and an exit ramp west to Glen Este and east to Clepper,” Hamilton said.

During the open house, residents were able to view maps of the proposed alternatives and make comments about which, if any, alternative they would prefer.

“Our business will be affected in one way or another,” Rayjean Mount, who works at Boot Country, said.

Mount said she came to the open house on behalf of the owner to learn more about the alternatives.

“Our concerns are people trying to get to us,” Mount said.

Mount said after looking at the alternatives, she thinks four will be better for access to the business.

Jim Buckingham, who works at Jeff Wyler Automall, said the changes could affect his commute to work.

He said Alternative Four looks like it may be a better option for getting to and from the auto mall. He said he is not sure if the improvements will benefit his commute or the company.

“Without the lights it will make it quicker, but how much out of the way will you have to go?” Buckingham said.

Carol Kisner, a Union Township resident, said she lives in the area and was concerned about how the changes would affect her.

“I’ve lived in Union Township most of my life and have always used Old 74 and 32,” Kisner said. “I just wanted to see what the alternatives are.”

She said she hopes the improvements will be a good thing for the community.

“With all the investing of money and time I hope it’s an improvement,” Kisner said. “I am not sure how to take all of the changes.”

Hamilton said now that they have narrowed the alternatives down to two and have already looked at environmental issues and traffic issues, the public comment portion of the process will be important.

“It will really be based on comments,” Hamilton said about deciding an alternative.

Residents can submit comments about the alternatives until Aug. 14. For more information visit www.easterncorridor.org, or call (513) 621-1981.

Once the comment period closes, the project will move forward to the detailed design process and environmental approvals.

Construction is scheduled to begin on the improvements in 2016, according to ODOT.