Two new ramp configurations to open to traffic
Clermont County (Monday, Feb. 10, 2014) – As part of the ongoing improvement work at the Interstate 275/State Route 32 interchange, two new ramp configurations will be put in place:
Northbound I-275 ramp reconfiguration:
· The northbound to westbound circle ramp will close permanently. All northbound traffic will exit at existing eastbound ramp to the new traffic signal at SR32. At this signal, motorists will have the option to travel east (right turn) or west (left turn) on SR32.
Southbound I-275 ramp reconfiguration:
· The southbound to eastbound circle ramp will close permanently. All southbound traffic will exit at existing westbound ramp to the new traffic signal at SR32. At this signal, motorists will have the option to travel east (left turn) or west (right turn) on SR32.
Once complete, traffic will not be restricted from traveling either direction on SR 32 from I-275. The reconfigurations will eliminate four weave/merge points at the interchange – two on SR 32 and two on I-275, making access safer and easier for motorists wishing to enter and exit I-275 and SR 32.
The switch is scheduled to take place Tuesday, Feb.18. To accommodate work to put traffic on these new ramps, lane closures will be in place on northbound and southbound I-275, beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, and reopening by 6 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19. The diagram at right illustrates in green both new ramp configurations. All work is weather permitting.
Work to implement a traffic switch on Eastgate Boulevard scheduled:
This work is also scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Feb. 19 with lane closures in place on north and southbound Eastgate Boulevard over SR 32 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Traffic will be switched from the existing multilane configuration to the new bridge and new pavement. Traffic will be maintained during the switch, but delays could be possible.
Once the switch is complete, one lane of traffic in each direction will be in place. There will be a southbound left turn lane to the ramp to eastbound SR 32. Southbound traffic will have access to one right turn lane into KRG Plaza, one thru lane and one left turn lane to Eastgate South Drive. Northbound will continue to have access to the eastbound and westbound SR32 ramps as they currently exist. At Eastgate Mall/North Frontage Road, motorists will have access to a dual left lane into the mall, a single thru lane and the existing right turn to North Access Drive. The ramps on North Access or 32 to Eastgate Blvd. will be unaffected by this change.
Nightly lane closures:
· To accommodate a deep pipe installation, the ramp from eastbound SR 32 to Eastgate Blvd will be closed 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Sunday, Feb. 16. Work is expected to take approximately one week. On Tuesday, Feb. 18, the ramp will be closed beginning at 7 p.m.
· Once traffic is placed on the new bridge, demolition of the existing Eastgate Boulevard Bridge will commence. To accommodate that demolition, nightly lane closures will be in place on east and westbound SR 32 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., beginning Wednesday, Feb. 19. Work is expected to take approximately two weeks. Construction activity will also require closure of the ramp from northbound Eastgate Blvd. to westbound SR 32 and the ramp from Eastgate North Frontage Road to the Eastgate Blvd/westbound SR 32 ramp from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 and Thursday, Feb. 20. Arrow boards and/or signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert motorists of the upcoming lane closures.