New Access Road Open Just in Time for Classes to Begin at UC Clermont College

UC Clermont College students will begin classes on Sept. 22 with a new access road on and off campus. The connector road – Old State Route 74 – was finished today and just in time for the rush of students coming back to campus.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today to officially open the extension of Old State Route 74 to College Drive in Batavia Township.  “The college has experienced unprecedented growth in the last few years, and we are projecting an approximate nine percent increase in fall enrollment,” said UC Clermont Dean Gregory Sojka.  “We thank our community partners in helping to make this new roadway a reality – this was truly a partnership effort.”

“We are proud of the many accomplishments of UC Clermont as it continues to offer outstanding courses and break records for enrollment,” said Board of Clermont County Commissioners President Bob Proud, who attended UC Clermont.  “With the opening of the new roadway, it will give transportation options to students and citizens.”

The groundbreaking for the roadway extension was held in late May 2010.  “I want to thank our crews and contractors for the hard work they did to get this project done quickly and under budget,” said Clermont County Engineer Pat Manger.  “The $700,000 project involved adding roadway, curbs, signage and storm sewers in that location.”

The project was funded by public grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Ohio Department of Development, and the Ohio Public Works Commission.  Private funds were also utilized from UC Clermont College and the Southwest Ohio Development Center.  “We would also like to thank Mary Winn Gatch for the donation of 2.7 acres of land to build the roadway expansion,” said Manger.