Eastgate retail district sees roadway improvements
Holiday shoppers frequenting Eastgate Mall and other area shops are already enjoying improved road access to the retail hub.
More: Eastgate roadwork on pause for holiday shoppers
More than 50 traffic signals with the ability to shorten your red-light wait time have been installed in the area of Eastgate Boulevard, and that's just the beginning.
Roadways have been widened, lanes added and bridges built as part of ongoing infrastructure improvements to the area, according to a release from the Clermont County Transportation Improvement District and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Chief among the completed projects is a new tunnel allowing for continuous traffic flow from northbound I-275 to access eastbound State Route 32. Motorists utilizing the tunnel will not have to stop for a traffic signal until Glen Este-Withamsville Road.
Motorists are also likely to appreciate the new technological upgrades to traffic signals in the area. The new signals are energy-efficient and feature traffic-monitoring technology that allows for real-time adjustments to the timing of the signals.
In essence, the traffic-monitoring technology and timing adjustments could mean less time spent sitting at red lights if opposing traffic is light.
"Conflict points," or dangerous sections of roads where traffic merges, have been eliminated and ramps have been rebuilt and relocated near the Interstate 275/State Route 32 interchange.
Motorists familiar with weaving through traffic near the Interstate 275/State Route 32 interchange will likely appreciate the elimination of six hazardous merging areas. This includes ramps onto and off of Eastgate Boulevard, according to a news release.
These conflict-point improvements, a project manager noted in the news release, will dramatically improve safety for drivers.
Two of four planned bridges have also been completed and will facilitate the connection of Aicholtz Road from Bells Lane to Eastgate Boulevard.
Additionally, the following roadways were widened:
Clough Pike: A third lane was added along a 1.3-mile section of the road between Mt. Carmel Tobasco Road and Glen Este-Withamsville Road. A center turn lane was added, as well as a sidewalk along the north side of the road.
Wards Corner: A portion of Wards Corner has been widened to three lanes to include a turn lane. Delays and congestion will be minimized with the addition of the turn lane, according to the news release.
Branch Hill Guinea Pike: Travel lanes have been widened and a new center turn lane, along with improved pedestrian access and walkways, has been added.
US 50 and SR 131: Lanes widened.