Road Rampage

Catch B. & Kullen H

      Over the past two years, Eastgate has experienced some major road changes. And not often have these changes improved transportation. But by far the most infuriating change was the construction of the overpass on Glen Este-Withamsville Road. This construction is bothersome for two major reasons. It increases traffic and hurts businesses that rely on that road to get customers.

      First, let's go over the traffic. Having the Glen Este-Withamsville Road intersection cut off funnels all the traffic down the Clepper Ln. Secluding the businesses on either side of the highway. To get to either side you have to either go all the way down to the Bach Buxton overpass or down to the 4548 Eastgate Blvd overpass. This makes getting to the restaurants on the other side of the construction a tedious process. Also, Glen Este is a road that many people rely on to get in or out of their house. Who wants to sit at an exit and wait every time they leave their house?

      Now for the businesses aspect. The construction on Glen Este has affected surrounding businesses negatively. To prove this, we have interviewed Josh L. A former worker in this isolated region. We asked him questions about how this affected the business, but also how it just affected his everyday life.

Interview with Mr. L

Catch: “Have the new changes and construction to the Clermont county roads affected you at all?”

Josh: “The construction in that area affected traffic, and I got to work late a few times. There were some detours, but overall it made getting around difficult.”

Catch: ”Have you had to alter your day to day life because of this?”

Josh: “Well, day to day life, not really, I dont really work over there anymore, but when I worked there I had to take different routes.”

Catch: “Do you think this new change has affected b

usinesses in a negative way?”

Josh: “Yeah, the UDF on that corner had to shut down because they had too few customers.”

Catch: “Do you think this change has improved Clermont county roads at all?”

Josh: “I mean, the non stop movement on 32 is nice, but overall not a net positive, I don’t like it.”

Catch: “How do you think the new changes should have played out?”

Josh: “If I were doing it, I would move the exit ramp down more.”

      Overall, the construction of the Clermont County roads are not well thought out and poorly executed. The County should be more mindful of people's day to day lives, and the welfare of businesses around their construction. If this is happening in your town, speak out, send a petition, vote for a hands-on leader. these are all ways to peacefully show your opinion.