New State Route 32 interchange officially opens ahead of schedule

CHILLICOTHE - The new interchange at State Route 32 and Bruce Lunsford Way in Brown County has opened nearly a year ahead of schedule. The interchange is part of a safety project to address the intersection of SR 32 and Brooks-Malott Road in Mt. Orab.

The intersection was targeted for safety improvements as part of a list of 150 intersections Governor Mike DeWine ordered the Ohio Department of Transportation to address.

"We are thrilled to announce the early completion of this vital project. This interchange will not only improve safety but also support local development and community services," said Ohio Department of Transportation District 9 Deputy Director Mike Dombrowski. "We appreciate the support of the community and our partners in making this project a success."

The new road created by the interchange is named in honor of the late Bruce Lunsford, a former mayor of Mt. Orab who had long championed the project.

Over the last decade, the intersection of SR 32 and Brooks-Malott Road has experienced 77 crashes with 6 resulting in serious injury and one being deadly. Another nearby intersection at SR 32 and Bodman Road has seen 31 crashes resulting in 11 serious injuries over the same period. Both at-grade intersections have been closed with traffic now routed to the new diamond interchange.

Construction for the $17.9 million project began in July 2023. This not only improves traffic flow between Mr. Orab and the Cincinnati metro area, but also improves safety by eliminating the risk of serious crashes at the intersections. Right-out access at Brooks-Malott Road is maintained for emergency vehicles.

The project was completed by John R. Jurgensen Company.