Money to improve traffic congestion
By Megan Alley
Sun Reporter
Most would agree that sitting in traffic stinks. Well, there’s good news for commuters who travel along the state Route 32 corridor in the Eastgate area, as major funding was just approved for road projects aimed at improving traffic flow and congestion through the area.
The Ohio Department of Transportation announced funding for the project last week.
The menu of changes set for the area are:
— A new interchange at Bach-Buxton Road.
— A partial interchange at Glen Este-Withamsville Road.
— A lane added on westbound state Route 32.
Traffic signals will be removed on state Route 32 at the intersection of Glen Este -Withamsville Road, Elick Lane and Shayler Road. The lights will be swapped with a partial interchange at Glen Este, a new interchange at Bach-Buxton and an improved local road network.
Construction on all this is set to begin in 2021, according to Clermont County Engineer Jeremy Evans.
The projects will be paid for with $61.2 million from the Transportation Review Advisory Committee, $11.5 million from ODOT safety funds and a $10.4 million local match. TRAC was established in 1997 to help ODOT develop project selection and approve funding for the development and construction of the Major New Capacity Program.
This year, TRAC received 27 applications for development or construction of transportation projects totaling nearly $925 million. The board hosted hearings around the state to learn about each of the applications, and last month, TRAC approved a draft list and opened a public comment period, according to information from the county.
These latest Eastgate projects will add to the list of road construction projects already happening in the area, which include the Clepper Lane Extension to Bach-Buxton Road, Old State Route 74 widening, and Schoolhouse Road to Glen Este-Withamsville Road with access improvements at Old 74, Tealtown Road and Paul Drive.
Add that to a third eastbound lane and intersection improvements at state Route 32 and Bells Lane and Old State Route 74 that have already opened.
“This award represents more than a decade of planning and intentional investment in a critical corridor for the movement of people, goods and services throughout our entire region,” Evans said in a press release. “The county works very closely with ODOT and all of our transportation partners to ensure that the connections people need to travel safely and efficiently to their destinations are in place. We are pleased to continue our partnership with ODOT and look forward to working together to complete the next phase of a coordinated program of improvements that will improve safety and travel in Clermont County.”