After months of orange barrels and lane shifts, drivers in Union Township, Clermont County, are finally getting some breathing room. The new Glen Este-Withamsville overpass carrying Glen Este-Withamsville Road over State Route 32 opened Friday, and traffic is already moving with noticeably fewer construction delays. A temporary ramp is now in service, and most of the cones that turned commutes into obstacle courses have been cleared, giving evening rush-hour drivers some immediate relief.
Temporary Ramp in Use; Permanent Ramps Still Coming
The temporary ramp that opened on Friday is only the first step. It will be replaced by a permanent ramp later this summer, with a second permanent ramp expected to follow as crews wrap up finishing work. The new setup has already wiped out several detours that had snarled the Eastgate shopping corridor and shortened backups during peak hours, according to WKRC.
Project Background and Scope
The overpass is part of a larger SR-32 realignment and Bach Buxton interchange project aimed at eliminating at-grade traffic signals and adding travel lanes. Work on the Glen Este-Withamsville segment kicked off in January 2024. Ohio Department of Transportation documents show the project added a third westbound lane and list the original construction bid at about $42.5 million, with current contract totals now above $44.1 million, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
ODOT Says the Timetable Is Ahead of Schedule
State transportation officials say the work is running ahead of the original schedule, with crews now focused on drainage and approach work around the new bridge. As reported by WCPO, ODOT spokesperson Kathleen Fuller said, "We're shooting for a June completion, for everything, to have it all open to traffic."
Local Businesses Welcome the Change
Merchants around Eastgate have spent months navigating detours, blocked entrances, and stop-and-go congestion. Phil Adams, director of development at Jungle Jim's, told WCPO the new bridge "will definitely help the area" and should make it easier for both customers and employees to get in and out.
What Drivers Should Expect Next
Most of the orange barrels are gone, and traffic patterns are starting to settle into something resembling normal, but drivers are not entirely in the clear yet. Motorists should still expect intermittent lane closures and final approach work to continue through the summer. The temporary ramp now in use will be swapped out for a permanent ramp later this summer, and a second permanent ramp is expected to open as crews finish building out the interchange, according to WKRC.
The Glen Este-Withamsville overpass is just one piece of a broader Eastern Corridor upgrade designed to speed up commutes east of I-275 and cut down on rear-end and T-bone crashes by removing traffic signals along SR-32, according to ODOT planning documents. Drivers are advised to keep an eye on state traffic updates and local news outlets for any short-term changes as crews bring the project across the finish line.
