A 13-year, $200 million overhaul of State Route 32 in Clermont County is complete after the final ramp at Glen Este-Withamsville Road opened to traffic.
The work represents the county’s largest public works project in 50 years, according to a community announcement. The 4.5-mile project extends east of Interstate 275 from Bells Lane in Union Township to Olive Branch-Stonelick Road in Batavia Township and is part of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Eastern Corridor.
The project widened and reconfigured Route 32 to accommodate anticipated growth for the next 20 years.
“This project has been transformative,” said Kris McClintick, economic development director for Clermont County. “Improving access, safety and connectivity along SR 32 have encouraged
significant new private investment in the central part of the county. Purina’s new manufacturing facility, residential development and investments by other companies east of Batavia toward Williamsburg are proof.”
Changes cut travel time along Route 32
Traffic signals that once controlled intersections connecting Route 32 with Eastgate Boulevard, Glen Este-Withamsville Road, Elick Lane, Old SR 74, Bach Buxton Road and Olive Branch-Stonelick Road are gone.
Over the past 10 years, those intersections were reconfigured or replaced with overpasses that include elevated entrance and exit ramps. The changes have improved visibility and allowed traffic to move faster, according to the announcement.
A drive through the corridor that previously took at least 25 minutes on a good day now takes less than 10 minutes.
“It’s been a game changer,” said Joe Abner, deputy district director for Congressman David Taylor in Eastgate.
“The improvements have made it faster and easier to move people, products and resources,” said Clermont County Commissioner David L. Painter. “Transportation is not simply about building and improving roads – it’s about building opportunities for our families and businesses.”
New residential subdivisions also are being advertised along the corridor as development continues.
Final ramp completes 11-project overhaul
The overall Route 32 improvement was completed through 11 separate projects beginning in 2013 with the reconfiguration of the I-275 interchange.
ODOT handled nine projects and the Clermont Transportation Improvement District handled two.
The Glen Este-Withamsville overpass opened to traffic this summer. The final construction included opening the westbound ramp from Route 32 to the overpass late last month and installing security railing this fall.
There was no ribbon cutting or other ceremony marking the end of major construction.
The OKI Regional Council of Governments supported the project during its early planning stages and directed federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to ODOT. According to the announcement, the State Route 32 work was the largest transportation infrastructure improvement in Clermont County since the I-275 loop around Greater Cincinnati was completed in the 1970s.
“OKI is proud to support Clermont County’s vision for the SR 32 corridor,” said OKI CEO Mark Policinski. “We look forward to the continued benefits this investment will bring to residents, businesses and the regional transportation network.”
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Route 32 overhaul ends after 13 years of work
