- LETTER
TO CITIZENS
- from
County Engineer Gregory J. Wilkens
March 15, 2001
To the Citizens and
Board of County Commissioners of Butler County, Ohio:
I respectfully present
the Butler County Engineer's 2000-2001 Annual Report for your
review. The Report provides an overview of 2000 projects, a look
at proposed capital improvements for 2001, and a few major projects
currently in the works for 2002 and beyond. Each project listed
in this Report has the direct involvement of the Butler County
Engineer's Office (BCEO), including planning and engineering,
funding, administration of the contract, and/or construction
and inspection. |
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The 2000-2001 Annual
Report covers a transitional period for the Engineer's Office,
summarizing projects completed under the previous County Engineer
while looking ahead to the capital improvements plan of our new
administration. Last year, the BCEO was involved with the completion
of over $6.5 million in projects and maintenance. Among some
of the highlights:
- 3 bridge projects;
- 34 culvert replacements;
- 1 roadway improvement;
- 34.7 miles of paving;
- Installation of raised
pavement markers on 19 roads.
Additionally, 2000
continued to see momentum strengthen for the State Route 63 Corridor
Study. Two public workshops were held and, with the benefit of
local citizen feedback, a preferred alternative alignment was
developed for the Trenton portion of the project between State
Route 4 and U.S. 127.
A new year and an exciting
new future lie ahead for the Butler County Engineer's Office.
Several veteran personnel have been brought back to supplement
an already fine staff at the BCEO. Together we plan to be involved
with over $74 million in projects in this our first year, including
the much needed Cincinnati Dayton Road widening in West Chester,
engineering future improvements to Ohio 747, and the replacement
of five major bridges with federal dollars.
Funding will be a significant
factor in the development of these and many other key projects.
In order to fully utilize outside State and Federal aid, additional
local money sources need to be explored. More than ever, innovative
funding measures will be critical as Butler County grows into
the twenty-first century. Our new BCEO administration pledges
a renewed and positive relationship with the Butler County Transportation
Improvement District, a funding agency which has been critical
in the completion of major projects such as the Union Centre
Boulevard interchange and the Michael A. Fox Highway. Interagency
cooperation and public-private partnering are not mere concepts
anymore. They have become a fundamental reality.
As Butler County's
growth continues to out pace nearly every other Ohio county,
the need to maintain and upgrade our transportation infrastructure
is imperative. As your new County Engineer, I look forward to
the challenges and successes that lie ahead. The BCEO is committed
to serving you, the citizens of Butler County, with integrity
and sound engineering principles. Your safety and convenience
are important to us. Thank you for your support.
Board
of Butler County Commissioners:
The staff of the Butler
County Engineer's Office conducts an ongoing inspection and analysis
of the roads and bridges that are under our jurisdiction and
make up the County system, per Section 5543.02 of the Ohio Revised
Code. On the basis of these inspections and analyses, we respectfully
submit this Report to the Butler County Board of Commissioners
and request approval of expenses for all recommended 2001 capital
improvements. These are listed in the section entitled 2001 PROPOSED
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
We also request the
enactment of resolutions 1) for the acquisition of needed rights
of way and plan preparation in accordance with our recommended
improvements, and 2) to proceed by Force Account as outlined
in Section 5543.19 of the Ohio Revised Code for all necessary
maintenance, repair, and improvements. Materials for all Force
Account projects are bid through separate contracts.
