1997-98 Annual Report

 

Review of 1997....Preview of 1998

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  A Letter to the Citizens of Butler County from County Engineer Dean C. Foster

  Butler County Facts and Data

  Birth of A Project

  Funding Sources

  1997 Overview

  1997 Project Review

  1997 Income

  1997 Expenditures

  1998 Proposed Capital Improvements

  1998 Projected Revenue

   

March 15, 1998

To the Citizens and Board of County Commissioners of Butler County, Ohio:

I am pleased to present the Butler County Engineer's 1997-98 Annual Report for your review. The Report provides an overview of 1997 projects, a look at proposed capital improvements for 1998, and highlights of some major projects currently in the works for 1999 and beyond. Each project listed in this Report has the direct involvement of the Butler County Engineer's Office (BCEO); planning and engineering, funding, administration of the contract, and/or construction.

When you browse the 1997 Review in this Report, you will see that this office was involved with over $26,448,802 in projects. Among some of the highlights: fourteen bridges replaced or repaired; five dangerous intersections made safer; five railroad crossings upgraded and one eliminated; and nearly $4 million in paving and road improvements. The BCEO also managed construction of three TID projects totaling over $19 million. Safety and progress appropriately define the BCEO's accomplishments for 1997.

One additional word also describes the BCEO's past year quite well --- technology. During 1997 we installed Ohio's first all-composite bridge, established a site on the World Wide Web, and launched an upgrade our office computer system. These technological advances maintain a BCEO tradition of progressive and cost-efficient engineering.

Your County Engineer's Office installed Ohio's first and the nation's third all-composite vehicle bridge last July on Smith Road near the Hamilton/St. Clair/Ross Township line. Dubbed the "Tech 21 Bridge" by the team of engineers that brought the project together, this bridge has received national and international attention from the media and numerous engineering publications. Tech 21 is the culmination of technology transfer efforts from the aerospace industry into common structural applications for the general public's benefit and safety. The bridge's projected life expectancy of 100 years (over twice that of conventional concrete and steel bridges) combined with its low cost construction is an attractive alternative for many public agencies and engineering firms worldwide. The Tech 21 Bridge is also the nation's first "smart bridge." It is fully instrumented with special sensors for continuous health monitoring. As the composite technology develops, it could save taxpayers millions of dollars in repair and replacement costs. This bridge is one of the world's leading research endeavors in the potential uses of composite materials for civil engineering applications. To read more about the Tech 21 Bridge and to see some photos, browse into the What's New section of our web site or go to the 1997 Bridge section of this Report..

As everyone knows, the Internet is rapidly becoming one of the world's foremost communications tools. The establishment of the BCEO's web site in April has enabled us to provide information to the public at a moment's notice. Web surfers have told us that they find our site to be very helpful and easy to navigate. One emailer even noted that our site should serve as a model for other government web sites. So please check in at www.bceo.org. (If you're reading this online, then you're already here.) You will find information about current and future road projects, road closings and openings, BCEO departments and services, employee email links, Butler County statistical data, as well as guides to township and city officials. Road conditions and snow reports are also available. (The technology for our webmaster to instantly update this information from a remote location should be in place by next winter.) You will even find this Annual Report posted on our web site.

Establishing an Internet presence has gone hand in hand with upgrading the BCEO's computer system, implemented in 1997 and to be completed in 1998. Up-to-date computers and development of an office Intranet will allow for a more efficient flow of information from within and without the workplace. This has already benefitted us greatly in terms of email capability and our Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CAD).

Thank you for taking a few moments to review the accomplishments and aspirations of your Engineer's Office. As always, we appreciate the opportunity to serve you the taxpayers, who are after all, our employers. Your safety and convenience are important to us as evidenced by the projects in this Report. Perhaps you may or may not be aware that outside of Butler County, the BCEO enjoys a statewide reputation for its progressive approach to engineering, safety, and public involvement. Much of what we pioneer locally is watched and then implemented in other counties. We are able to function on your behalf because of your support and feedback. Thanks for a great year Butler County!

Very truly yours,

Dean C. Foster, P.E., P.S.

Butler County Engineer


 

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 1998 capital improvements. These are listed in the section entitled 1998 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.

Very truly yours,

Dean C. Foster, P.E., P.S.

Butler County Engineer


 

BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO

GENERAL DATA

Population (1996 est.)	323,579
State rank	8th
Area	469 square miles
State rank	35th
Courthouse elevation	601 feet
Highest elevation	1,051 ft. (Near Todd Road, Oxford Township)
Lowest elevation	520 ft. (Great Miami River, Fairfield)

1996 POPULATION (estimated)

UNINCORPORATED AREAS

Fairfield Twp	11,351	Oxford Twp	4,425
Hanover Twp	8,759	Reily Twp	2,979
Lemon Twp	9,745	Ross Twp	6,946
Liberty Twp	16,392	St. Clair Twp	5,739
Madison Twp	10,113	Union Twp	44,812
Milford Twp	2,796	Wayne Twp	3,914
Morgan Twp	5,883	Total	133,853

INCORPORATED AREAS

College Corner	128 *	New Miami	2,555
Fairfield	42,163	Oxford	18,700
Hamilton	61,833	Seven Mile	977
Jacksonburg	61	Sharonville	2,067*
Middletown	47,990*	Somerville	338
Millville	938	Trenton	7,054
Monroe	4,922*	Total	189,726

*Portions of these communities lie within neighboring counties; figures represent their Butler County population only.

ROAD MILEAGE

County Roads	267.54 miles
Township Roads	632.01 miles
U.S. and State Roads	177.5 miles

ROAD MILEAGE BY TOWNSHIP

Township	County Roads	Township Roads
Fairfield	12.55	54.35
Hanover	26.54	33.95
Lemon	0	10.02
Liberty	26.31	76.92
Madison	23.83	51.18
Milford	20.85	30.99
Morgan	26.82	30.58
Oxford	18.71	27.36
Reily	30.49	32.70
Ross	12.94	36.83
St. Clair	21.49	33.42
Union	32.83	185.34
Wayne	14.18	28.37
Total	267.54	632.01

 

BIRTH OF A PROJECT

All potential projects are identified and developed by BCEO engineers, who also determine a funding source for each project and place it on a time line. Ongoing three- and five-year plans are maintained and routinely updated. Most large scale projects have already been identified in the Butler County Thoroughfare Plan developed by the Engineer's Office in 1994, which serves as a comprehensive 20-year countywide transportation planning guide. The Plan is modified every four to five years and will receive an update in 1998.

Following the planning phase, projects move into the engineering design phase. The BCEO Design Department is responsible for engineering and designing the projects on our CAD System (Computer Aided Design) or through local and regional consultants. Once a project is designed, the BCEO's Construction Department manages the actual construction of all contract projects. This involves everything from coordinating utility relocations to working directly with contractors to make sure the job is completed according to design specifications and in a timely manner. Crews from our Operations Department handle construction all Force Account (non-contract) projects.

 

FUNDING SOURCES

Adequate funding is the key to a successful capital improvements plan. The BCEO obtains revenue from three different levels: Federal, State, and Local. There are two primary sources of local money: gasoline taxes and license plate fees. (See "Where The Money Comes From" for an explanation of how these monies are distributed by the state.) This money is designated specifically for the County Engineer's Office for road and bridge projects and is completely separate from the county's general fund. Annual income generated by these local funding sources averages just under $9 million. This revenue is important as local match money for State and Federally funded projects.

FEDERAL FUNDING

The BCEO works to leverage outside funding whenever possible for eligible projects. As an example, there are several categories of Federal aid, most of which are designated for certain types of projects on specific roads and bridges. In order to utilize these funds very strict qualifications must be met, including the completion of environmental studies and providing the local funding match. An average leveraged ratio of 3:1 (federal:local) is maintained by federal aid experts at the BCEO.

STATE FUNDING

Two primary sources of State funding utilized by the BCEO are the State Issue 2 Program (SI2P), renewed by Ohio voters in November 1995, and Community Development Block Grant Funds. The Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) administers the State Issue 2 Program, which also includes the Local Transportation Improvement Program and the Small Government Capital Improvements Program. As with Federal funds, a local match is required for the use of Issue 2 funds, and the amount must be a minimum of 10 percent of the total project cost. State Issue 2 money is designated for the repair and replacement of existing infrastructure. The OPWC has divided the state into 19 separate funding districts, and communities and public agencies within each district must vie for their share of the funding which is allotted to their district. Butler County lies within District 10, which also includes the Counties of Warren, Clermont, and Clinton and their communities. The Butler County Engineer's Office serves as the manager and OPWC liaison for all Issue 2 funding in District 10.

The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program is designed to provide money for infrastructure programs that normally would not qualify for other outside funding sources. This program is also designed to assist with improvements to low-income areas.

LOCAL FUNDING

The two primary sources of local funding are gasoline taxes and license plate fees, although the BCEO does receive some sales tax revenues from the County Commissioners. Many road and bridge projects are funded one-hundred percent with local money and are let by Contract or are performed by crews from the Engineer's Office. Non-contract projects performed by BCEO crews are known as Force Account projects and can consist of everything from culvert and bridge replacements and deck repairs to general and seasonal maintenance. The Ohio Revised Code caps Force Account projects at $10,000 per mile for paving or maintenance and $40,000 per structure (bridge or culvert). If the cost estimate for a project is over these amounts, the project must by law be competitively bid and let as a contract to the lowest qualified bidder.

A new concept in locally funded road construction is the Transportation Improvement District (TID), which was enacted through state legislation passed in 1993.The TID is comprised of a panel of local governments charged with funding several projects in the TID-designated area, which covers most of the southeast quadrant of the County. Innovative financing is the key to speeding up construction of much-needed projects for which traditional funding methods have been difficult since most local, state, and federal budgets are already stretched.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: The BCEO maximizes the use of local funds by matching them with State and Federal funds. On the average, one local dollar can leverage three to four dollars from sources outside Butler County.

 

1997 OVERVIEW

As stated in the County Engineer's letter at the beginning of this Report, technology took a front seat at the BCEO in 1997. The Engineer's Office established a site on the World Wide Web, launched an upgrade of its office computer system, and installed Ohio's first all-composite bridge. Progressive and cost-efficient engineering define a BCEO tradition concerned with building a safer transportation system for Butler County motorists. The evidence is on the roads you drive. The specifics are outlined in this Report.

During 1997, the Butler County Engineer's Office completed:

• 12 bridge projects
• 14 culvert projects
• 5 intersection projects
• 2 roadway improvement projects
• 65 miles of paving
• Center and edge line striping of numerous roads
• 6 railroad crossing upgrades
• 4 Block Grant projects
  

Additionally, the BCEO managed construction of three projects for the Transportation Improvement District (TID):

• Union Centre Boulevard Interchange and construction of Union Centre Boulevard
• Liberty Towne Centre intersection upgrade
• Muhlhauser Road Extension bridge construction

The above list does not include routine activities such as general design and engineering, commercial and residential development services, tax mapping services, and day-to-day roadway maintenance such as signing, mowing, drainage, and snow and ice control. As you can see, the BCEO is a multi-faceted, full-service agency covering all facets of road and highway transportation in Butler County.

For a detailed review of 1997 activity, please read on.

1997 SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT IN BUTLER COUNTY

UNINCORPORATED AREAS

INCORPORATED AREAS

TAX MAP DEPARTMENT SUMMARY

Activity	1997	1996
Sale of Plats	$12,103.75	$12,629.57
Transfers	16,521	16,532
Parcel Splits	318	208
Survey Plats Recorded	387	412
House #s Assigned	781	714
House #s Verified	1,081	377
Bonds Recorded	17	12
Annexations Recorded	5	5
Annexations Checked	5	3

 

1997 PROJECT REVIEW

This section includes a comprehensive listing of all projects that were completed during the 1997 construction year.

BRIDGES

The Butler County Engineer's Office performs an annual inspection of all bridges on County and Township roads. Some bridges receive inspection two or more times per year due to their worsened condition. The BCEO had inspection and maintenance responsibility for 369 bridges (structures with a clear span of ten feet or greater) at the beginning of 1998. That number remained unchanged at the end of the year.

There are 34 bridges located on State highways within municipalities for which the State of Ohio has inspection responsibility but the County Engineer has maintenance responsibility.

Seventeen bridges were posted with load limit restrictions at the end of 1997. This is down from over 40 load-restricted bridges just three years ago. The County Engineer's aggressive bridge program is designed to reduce and eventually eliminate all load-rated bridges.

Bridge summary 1997

Total: 12

Total cost: $3,115,481

FEDERAL FUNDS

Indian Creek Road Bridge #00.838 -- Replacement and roadway realignment

Contract amount: $868,000

 

Indian Creek Road Bridge #00.838 in Reily Township...before and after replacement.

Reily Millville Road Bridge #02.440 -- Replacement

Contract amount: $474,280
Photo: Construction of new Reily Millville Road Bridge #02.440 in Reily Township.

 

Smith Road (Union Twp) Bridge #00.106 -- Replacement

Contract amount: $683,707

Photo: New Smith Road Bridge #00.106 in Union Township.

 

STATE ISSUE 2 FUNDS

 

Contract 1996-CJ011 -- Five Bridge Replacements

Browns Run Road Bridge #01.748 (replaced by culvert)

Kyles Station Road Bridge #03.731

Kyles Station Road Bridge #06.684

Rialto Road Bridge #00.957 (replaced by culvert)

Thomas Road (Madison Twp) Bridge #00.029

Total project cost: $420,579

LOCAL FUNDS BY CONTRACT

Contract 1997-CU05A -- Emergency bridge repairs, abutment replacement

Hamilton New London Road Bridge #05.029

Contract amount: $363,568

($175,000 in OPWC emergency funds were applied to this project.)

Engineers at the BCEO had to overcome another very wet spring, although conditions weren't nearly as disastrous as during the previous year. The only major weather-induced project in 1997 was Hamilton New London Road Bridge #05.029 over Indian Creek. The bridge had to be closed after high waters in the rain-swollen creek washed out the bridge abutment and the adjoining roadway approach on the bridge's east side. (Left photo. Right photo.)

 

LOCAL FUNDS BY FORCE ACCOUNT

 

One Bridge Rehabilitation

Garner Road Bridge #02.223

Total project cost: $40,943

 

Two Bridge Replacements

LeSourdsville West Chester Road Bridge #01.895

Smith Road (Hamilton City/Ross & St. Clair Twps) Bridge #03.730

Total project cost: $264,404

 

An aging and deteriorated Smith Road Bridge #03.730 was replaced with Ohio's first all-composite bridge; only the third in the nation. The new Tech 21 Bridge, which has received national and international attention, is the culmination of technology transfer efforts and is built entirely of advanced composite material originally designed for use in the aerospace industry -- fibers such as glass embedded in epoxy. The bridge's projected life expectancy of 100 years (over twice that of conventional concrete and steel bridges) combined with its low cost construction is an attractive alternative for many public agencies and engineering firms worldwide. As the technology develops, it could save taxpayers millions of dollars in repair and replacement costs.

(Photo 1. Photo 2. Photo 3. Photo 4. Photo 5. Photo 6. Photo 7. Photo 8.)

 

Butler County's Tech 21 Bridge has received worldwide coverage, from numerous articles in engineering trade publications to CNN's "Future Watch" program. (Additional CNN image.)

Ohio Governor George V. Voinovich and Ohio Senator Mike DeWine each issued proclamations heralding the event as a positive contribution to Ohio's rich transportation history and as good for the economy.

Governor Voinovich's proclamation

Senator DeWine's proclamation

CULVERTS

The BCEO's Operations Department is responsible for the annual inspection of all culverts located on County and Township roads --- that number totaled 1,045 at the beginning of 1998. A culvert is a conduit running underneath a road for the purpose of transferring storm water runoff from one side of the road to another. Culverts are technically classified as structures with a clear span of less than ten feet and can be made of different types of material. Culvert replacements are, like bridges, determined by the age and condition of the structure and are often planned in conjunction with future resurfacing projects.

Culvert summary 1997

Total: 14

Total cost: $103,249

LOCAL FUNDS BY FORCE ACCOUNT

Fourteen Culvert Replacements

Alert New London Road Culvert #04.625

Augspurger Road Culvert #02.161

Bunker Hill Woods Road Culvert #00.088

Bunker Hill Woods Road Culvert #01.335

Chapel Road Culvert #01.759

Contreras Road Culvert #01.339

Layhigh Road Culvert #07.584

New Haven Road Culvert #00.004

New Haven Road Culvert #01.727

Stahlheber Road Culvert #06.947

Waynes Trace Road Culvert #01.527

Waynes Trace Road Culvert #01.658

West Chester Road Culvert #00.207

West Chester Road Culvert #00.384

Total project cost: $103,249

 

INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS

 

Intersection summary 1997

Total: 5

Total cost: $799,040

LOCAL FUNDS BY CONTRACT

Contract 1997-7 -- One Intersection Signalization

Union Centre Boulevard at West Chester Road

Contract amount: $62,203
Photo: Traffic signals were installed at West Chester Road and Union Centre Boulevard in Union Township. This is actually a new intersection of sorts; Allen Road was reconfigured to intersect with the new Union Centre Boulevard just south of here, and Union Centre was extended north and west of West Chester Road.

 

Contract 1997-8 -- One Intersection Signalization

Cox Road at Barret Road

Total project cost: $48,254
Photo: Traffic signals were installed at Cox Road and Barret Road in Union Township. This intersection underwent a major realignment one year earlier, in which turn lanes were also added.

 

Contract 1997-12 -- One Intersection Signalization

Hamilton Scipio Road (Ohio 129) at U.S. 27

Total project cost: $28,839

Contract 1997-13 -- One Intersection Improvement

Cincinnati Dayton Road at Princeton Road

Contract amount: $572,286

Contract 1997-14 -- One Intersection Improvement (Contract also included paving. Please see Paving, Contract 1997-14.)

Morris Road at Princeton Road

Total project cost: $87,458

(Funding: Fairfield Twp)

ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS

Roadway summary 1997

Total: 2

Total cost: $1,093,181

LOCAL FUNDS BY CONTRACT

Contract 1996-9 -- One Roadway Improvement

Allen Road (now Union Centre Blvd) - Extension from West Chester Rd to Beckett Rd

Total project cost: $902,510

(Funding: BCEO, Lakota School District, Union Township)

Contract 1997-2 -- One Roadway Improvement

Beckett Road - Tylersville Road to Bridge #03.507

Total project cost: $190,671

PAVING

The Butler County Engineer's Office is responsible for 267.54 miles (centerline miles) of roadway and has a 12-15 year paving program in place. This system enables roads to be resurfaced on a regular basis and maintained routinely in a more cost-effective manner. Many Township roads that are substandard in lane width and those County roads that meet minimum standards only, where feasible, are also being widened to bring them up to modern safety standards.

Sixty-five miles of county, township, and municipal roads were resurfaced in 1997. This also includes berming of all major roads paved.

 

PHOTOS: Clyde Court resurfacing in Ross Township. (Photo 1. Photo 2.)

Paving summary 1997

Total miles: 65.0

Total cost: $2,740,245

LOCAL FUNDS BY CONTRACT

Contract 1997-9 -- Paving of County and Township Roads in Lemon, Madison, St. Clair, and Wayne Townships and the City of Monroe

Total miles: 21.7

Total project cost: $627,692

Funded by Lemon Township:

Hamilton Middletown Road - Ohio 4 to Middletown corp.

Yankee Road - Ohio 63 to Monroe corp.

Miles: 2.0

Cost: $98,212

 

Funded by Madison Township:

Browns Run Road - Trenton Franklin Road to Hetzler Road

Dickey Road - West Alexandria Road to Kalbfleisch Road

Michael Road - West Alexandria Road to Trenton Franklin Road

Preble County Line Road - Strebee Road to Montgomery County line

Thomas Road - Browns Run Road to Sloebig Road

Trenton Franklin Road - Trenton corp. to dead-end

Miles: 8.6

Cost: $180,925

Funded by St. Clair Township:

Amy Lynne Circle - Eric Lane to cul-de-sac

Appletree Drive - dead-end to dead-end

Black Oak Court - Mellowood Lane to cul-de-sac

Caldwell Street - South Street to Trenton Road

Cedar Grove Court - Appletree Drive to cul-de-sac

Cedar Grove Drive - Appletree Drive to Eric Lane

Center Street - Riverside Drive to dead-en

Chapman Road - Riverside Drive to Trenton Road

Chickadee Drive - Hazelnut Drive to #3020

Clark Street - South Street to Trenton Road

Eric Lane - cul-de-sac to cul-de-sac

Fenton Street - South Street to Trenton Road

Hazelnut Drive - West Elkton Road to Chickadee Drive

John Street - South Street to Trenton Road

Long Pine Court - Appletree Drive to cul-de-sac

Maple Street - Riverside Drive to cul-de-sac

Mellowood Lane - Fear Not Mills Road to Appletree Drive

North Street - St. Clair Street to Chapman Road

St. Clair Street - South Street to Trenton Road

Shademore Drive - Fear Not Mills Road to Teakwood Drive

Teakwood Drive - Weeping Willow Drive to dead-end

Weeping Willow Drive - cul-de-sac to north of Hazelnut Drive

Wehr Road - Riverside Drive to south of Ohio 73

West Elkton Road - Fear Not Mills Road to Norfolk & Southern Railroad crossing

Williams Street - South Street to Trenton Road

Miles: 7.2

Cost: $197,045

Funded by Wayne Township:

Thomas Road - Jacksonburg Road to Wayne Madison Road

Tolbert Road - Ohio 503 to first bridge

Miles: 1.7

Cost: $48,466

Funded by City of Monroe:

Britton Lane - Macready Avenue to Todhunter Road

Main Street - Lebanon Street to Monroe corp.

Yankee Road - Todhunter Road to Monroe corp.

Miles: 2.2

Cost: $103,044

 

Contract 1997-10 -- Paving of County and Township Roads in Milford, Oxford, and Reily Townships

Total miles: 15.1

Total project cost: $727,481

Funded by the County:

Fairfield Road - Riggs Road to Oxford corp.

Law Road - Stillwell Beckett Road to Booth Road

Springfield Road - Peoria Reily Road to Indiana state line

Stillwell Road - Bunker Hill Woods Roads to U.S. 27

Miles: 8.4

Cost: $433,989

Funded by Milford Township:

Apple Street - East Street to dead-end

Frazee Road - Baker Road to U.S. 27

Mulberry Street - East Street to Ohio 177

North Street - East Street to dead-end

Oxford Street - East Street to dead-end

Miles: 1.9

Cost: $74,957

Funded by Oxford Township:

Todd Road - Jones Road to U.S. 27

Miles: 2.7

Cost: $108,425

Funded by Reily Township:

Pierson Road - Stillwell Road to Stillwell Beckett Road

Stephenson Road - Stillwell Beckett Road to CSX Railroad

Miles: 2.1

Cost: $110,110

Contract 1997-11 -- Paving of County and Township Roads in Hanover, Morgan, and Ross Townships

Total miles: 17.6

Total project cost: $668,326

 

Funded by the County:

Hussey Road at CSX Railroad

Race Lane Road - Alert New London Road to Ohio 126

School Road - Layhigh Road to Ohio 128

Stahlheber Road - Morman Road to Hamilton corp.

Miles: 4.6

Cost: $287,414

Funded by Hanover Township:

Fairy Drive - U.S. 27 to cul-de-sac

Gardner Road - Hogue Road to north of Hamilton corp.

Pine Terrace Drive - Gardner Road to dead-end

Salman Road - Stahlheber Road to dead-end

Sharkey Road - Gardner Road to cul-de-sac

Miles: 2.0

Cost: $76,451

Funded by Morgan Township:

Bay Road - Schoenling Road to Indiana state line

Chapel Road - Alert New London Road to Ohio 126

Layhigh Road - North Wynn Road to CSX Railroad

South Dwyer Road - California Road to dead-end

South Wynn Road - Jenkins Road to dead-end

State Line South Road - Okeana Drewersburg Road to dead-end

State Line South Road - Schoenling Road to 0.2 mile south of Schoenling Road

Miles: 4.7

Cost: $159,470

 

Funded by Ross Township:

Banyon Court - cul-de-sac to cul-de-sac

Beth Lane - Leona Court to Jennifer Drive

Birch Drive - Cypress Lane to Lark Street

Brater Court - Dry Run Drive to cul-de-sac

Bruce Drive - Donbar Drive to Moeller Drive

Chad Lane - Donbar Drive to dead-end

Clemmer Drive - Larry Lane to cul-de-sac

Clyde Court - Mikehill Drive to cul-de-sac

Donbar Drive - Scottwood Drive to Bruce Drive

Dry Run Drive - Ohio 126 to cul-de-sac

Gloria Lane - Jennifer Drive to Dry Run Drive

Jennifer Drive - Ohio 126 to dead-end

Lark Street - Cincinnati Brookville Road to Beechwood Drive

Larry Lane - Clemmer Drive to Sunshine Drive

Laurie Court - Scottwood Drive to cul-de-sac

Leona Court - cul-de-sac to cul-de-sac

Mardell Court - School Road to cul-de-sac

Mikehill Drive - Moeller Drive to cul-de-sac

Moeller Drive - Scottwood Drive to Layhigh Road

Scottwood Drive - Moeller Drive to Ohio 126

Sunshine Drive - Ohio 128 to dead-end

Venice Boulevard - Ohio 128 to dead-end

Windy Knoll Drive - Layhigh Road to dead-end

Miles: 6.3

Cost: $144,991

Contract 1997-14 -- Paving of County and Township Roads in Fairfield, Liberty, and Union Townships (Contract included one intersection improvement. Please see Intersection Improvements, Contract 1997-14.)

Total miles: 10.6

Total cost: $716,746

Funded by the County:

Cincinnati Dayton Road - Beckett Road to I-75

Cincinnati Dayton Road - southbound turn lane to I-75

Cox Road - turn off at McGinnis Park

Hamilton Mason Road - Morris Road to west of Gilmore Road

Tylersville Road - Fairfield corp. To Union Township line

Miles: 2.9

Cost: $217,485

Funded by Fairfield Township:

Beaty Lane - Millikin Road to cul-de-sac

Cavalcade Drive - Stonybrook Drive to Shannon Drive

Hillgale Lane - Cavalcade Drive to cul-de-sac

(Contract continued on next page.)

Judith Drive - Millikin Road to cul-de-sac

King Avenue - Tylersville Road to north of Imlay Avenue

Lester Lane - Estill Avenue to dead-end

Morris Road - Tylersville Road to house #7360

Paducah Avenue - Sparks Lane to dead-end

Parkamo Avenue - Alston Avenue to Imlay Avenue

Sparks Lane - Hamilton Mason Road to Paducah Avenue

Stonybrook Drive - Cavalcade Drive to Liberty Fairfield Road

Miles: 3.1

Cost: $206,103

Funded by Liberty Township:

Hankins Road - Maud Hughes Road to Yankee Road

LeSourdsville West Chester Road - Millikin Road to Kyles Station Road

Maud Hughes Road - Princeton Road to railroad bridge

Maud Hughes Road - Kyles Station Road to Hankins Road

Van Gordon Road - Hamilton Mason Road to 0.4 south of Princeton Road

Reserves of Liberty Park - walkway and parking area

Miles: 4.6

Cost: $293,158

GENERAL/SEASONAL ROADWAY MAINTENANCE

The Operations Department of the Butler County Engineer's Office is responsible for all Force Account projects as well as the general day-to-day maintenance and seasonal-type maintenance of bridges and roads on the County roadway system. This includes ditching and drainage projects, painting and striping of roads, signing, patching, bridge repair, berm work, guardrail repair, mowing, brush and weed control, and snow and ice control. Also included is emergency maintenance such as storm damage, downed trees, high water and flooding problems, and any debris that poses an immediate safety hazard to the motoring public.

Total spent on general maintenance: $984,115

 

1997 SNOW AND ICE CONTROL

 

No major winter storms swept through Butler County during 1997 and snowfall totals were well below normal. BCEO snow and ice control crews were utilized primarily for spot treatments and general salting during minor snow showers and light snows typically totaling less than two inches.

 

Total amount of road salt used: 1,932 tons (1996 = 2,434 tons)

Total of calcium used: 545 gallons (1996 = 3,169 gallons)

Total man-hours utilized for snow-and-ice control: 3,095 (1996 = 4,733 hours)

Total labor cost: $50,163 (1996 = $75,054)

BCEO snowfighters plow day and night to keep roads safe and passable when winter weather strikes. Visit our web site for status reports on road conditions during inclement weather. (Photo courtesy of E.L. Hubbard, Hamilton Journal-News.)

RAILROAD CROSSINGS

Railroad crossing safety has been a substantial ingredient of the County Engineer's

annual Capital Improvements program for many years. The BCEO's close work with

the railroads has effectively increased crossing safety in Butler County in the last

decade. The number of railroad crossing accidents in Butler County has gone down rapidly despite increased traffic volumes.



Layhigh Road at CSX R.R. -- Installation of rubberized crossing

(CSX funds)



Race Lane Road at CSX R.R. -- Cut brush and improvement of sight distance

(CSX funds)



Rialto at Norfolk & Southern R.R. -- Installation of rubberized crossing

(Federal funds)



Spring Road at Norfolk & Southern R.R. -- Installation of lights and gates

(N&S funds)



Stahlheber Road at Norfolk & CSX R.R. -- Installation of rubberized crossing and thermoplastic pavement markings

(BCEO & CSX funds)



Wayne Madison Road at Cinergy-owned R.R. -- Crossing removal

(Cinergy funds)



OTHER


 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS



Contract B-F-96-009--1D -- One project

Village of College Corner - Water and storm sewer installation

Total project cost: $13,738



Contract B-F-96-009--1B,D,&E -- Three projects

Fairfield Twp - Storm sewer installation

City of Monroe - Curb ramp installation

City of Trenton - Sidewalks and curb ramp installation

Total project cost: $203,773



STATE EMERGENCY (FEMA) FUNDS



Contract 1997-1 -- Debris and driftwood removal from various bridge piers and abutments

Total project cost: $78,463



LOCAL FUNDS BY CONTRACT



Contract 1997-4 -- Demolition of buildings

Tylersville Road at LeSourdsville West Chester Road

Cincinnati Dayton Road at Princeton Road

Total project cost: $10,262
Photo: Several structures were removed to make way for a wider, safer intersection at Tylersville Road and LeSourdsville West Chester Road.


 

Contract 1997-6 -- Center line and edge line striping of various County and

Township roads

Total project cost: $59,595


 

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS MANAGED BY BCEO

FOR TID

 

Created as a result of legislation passed in 1993, the Transportation Improvement District (TID) is a funding agency designed to hasten construction of projects in the TID area, which covers most of the southeast quadrant of the County. The BCEO's experienced construction management team leant support to three TID projects last year. Construction management techniques and tools utilized by the Engineer's Office result in dramatic increases in efficiency thus cutting costs while increasing the quality of construction. The BCEO's management of key TID construction projects is another good example of cooperation and support among local agencies that results in substantial savings for Butler County taxpayers.



TID Contract 1996-01 -- Muhlhauser Road Extension, Bridge substructures

Total project cost: $918,339




TID Contract 1997-07 -- Union Centre Boulevard interchange and construction of Union Centre Boulevard

Total project cost: $16,018,473



TID Contract 1997-08 -- Liberty Towne Centre intersection upgrade at Cincinnati Dayton Road and Hamilton Mason Road

Total project cost: $2,212,384







Construction of new Union Centre / I-75 overpass (top). Newly opened Union Centre Boulevard looking west from the interchange (bottom).



Photo: Construction of Muhlhauser Road Extension bridge substructures.

 

1997 INCOME

INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE

 

Gasoline Tax: $1,239,344

Motor Vehicle License Fees: $5,277,927

Permissive Tax - State Levy: $612,588

FEMA Grant: $145,624

Total: $7,275,483



INTRAGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE

 

Sales: $191,325

Fines: $369,586

Carryover: $1,827,292

OTHER:

Reimbursements: $849,699

Inspection Fees & Permits: $190,910

Other Motor Vehicle: $2,154,830

Transfers: $576

Sale of Assets: $30,193

Proceeds of Notes: $1,200,000

Local Sales Tax: $1,000,000

Total: $7,814,411

Total funds available: $15,089,894


 

1997 EXPENDITURES

Capital Improvements: $863,873

Construction: $4,796,175

Maintenance/Operations: $3,907,964

Engineering: $1,517,478

Debt Retirement (Principal & Interest): $175,400

Total: $11,260,890

1997 Carryover: $2,829,003



1997 EXPENDITURES: SALES TAX



Construction Contracts: $691,253

State & Federal Contracts: $7,440

State Issue 2 Contracts: $301,307

Total: $1,000,000



1998 PROPOSED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

The following list of proposed capital improvements and general maintenance projects is compiled as of February 1, 1998. It includes projects under construction which are expected to be completed in 1998 and projects that will begin construction during 1998, unless otherwise specified.

 

Beginning in 1998, the BCEO becomes the first local agency in Ohio to manage federally-funded projects previously administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation. This is the first transfer of such projects to the local level as part of the state's new LPA (Local Public Agency) Management Program. Complete local management of these projects by the BCEO will save taxpayers time and money by speeding up the entire construction process.

BRIDGES

FEDERAL FUNDS



Cincinnati Dayton Road Bridge #00.340 -- Replacement

Estimated total project cost: $440,000



Corso Road Black Covered Bridge -- Rehabilitation

Contract amount: $608,102



The Black Covered Bridge near Oxford as it looked at the beginning of

the 1998 construction season. Work to rehabilitate the historic bridge

began last year. The bridge's old siding and roofing were removed

leaving only the skeleton shown above. As much of the original timber

as possible is being salvaged and reused on the bridge. Repairs are also

being made to the bottom and top chord members, all new support rods

are being installed, structural work is being performed on the center pier,

and the entrance is receiving a cosmetic facelift.


 

Indian Creek Road Bridge #00.498 -- Replacement

Estimated total project cost: $600,000


 



Indian Creek Road Bridge #00.498 in Reily Township will be replaced

in 1998.



Layhigh Road Bridge #08.055 -- Replacement

Estimated total project cost: $690,000



LeSourdsville West Chester Road Bridge #07.329 -- Replacement

Estimated total project cost: $500,000
Photo: LeSourdsville West Chester Road Bridge #07.329 in Liberty Township will be replaced in 1998.


 

California Road Bridge #04.312 -- Design and engineering; replacement in 1999

Estimated total project cost: $2,000,000



Liberty Fairfield Road Bridge #03.803 -- Design and engineering; replacement

in 1999

Estimated total project cost: $5,000,000



Okeana Drewersburg Road Bridge #02.366 -- Design and engineering; replacement

in 1999

Estimated total project cost: $620,000

 

Ross Hanover Road Bridge #00.230 -- Design and engineering; replacement

in 1999

Estimated total project cost: $350,000



Taylor School Road Bridge #03.461 -- Design and engineering; replacement

in 1999

Estimated total project cost: $850,000



LOCAL FUNDS BY CONTRACT



One Bridge Replacement

Hamilton New London Road Bridge #02.145

Estimated total project cost: $150,000

 

LOCAL FUNDS BY FORCE ACCOUNT



Three Bridge Replacements

Indian Creek Road Bridge #02.111

Stout Road Bridge #00.100

Yankee Road Bridge #01.100

Estimated total project cost: $60,000
Photo: Yankee Road Bridge #01.100 will be replaced with a new

Conspan-type bridge consisting of new reinforcements, which utilize

composite fibers versus a traditional steel reinforcing cage. This will

be the first such bridge in the United States.

 

Six Bridge Deck Replacements

Baker Road Bridge #00.648

Millikin Road Bridge #04.435

Morgan Ross Road Bridge #01.106

Myers Road Bridge #00.019

Scott Road Bridge #00.618

Somerville Road Bridge #01.989

Estimated total project cost: $97,500


 

CULVERTS

 

LOCAL FUNDS BY FORCE ACCOUNT


 

13 Culvert Replacements

Bunker Hill Woods Road Culvert #01.131

Hamilton Mason Road Culvert #02.347

Millikin Road Culvert #06.685

Reily Millville Road Culvert #03.183

Reily Millville Road Culvert #03.525

Reily Millville Road Culvert #03.938

Reily Millville Road Culvert #04.823

Reily Millville Road Culvert #05.059

Reily Millville Road Culvert #05.618

Stillwell Beckett Road Culvert #09.347

Waynes Trace Road Culvert #01.527

West Chester Road Culvert #03.193

West Chester Road Culvert #03.230

Estimated total project cost: $105,000


 

INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS



STATE ISSUE 2 FUNDS



Contract 1997-CJ16A -- Two Intersection Improvements

Tylersville Road at Kennesaw Drive

Tylersville Road at LeSourdsville West Chester Road

Contract amount: $1,398,910

 

LOCAL FUNDS BY CONTRACT



Contract 1997-15 -- One Intersection Signalization

Beckett Road at Smith Road

Contract amount: $50,817



Contract 1998-# -- Three Intersection Improvements

Cincinnati Dayton Road at Bethany Road

Cincinnati Dayton Road at Kyles Station Road

Kyles Station Road at Yankee Road

Estimated total project cost: $200,000
Photo: Cincinnati Dayton Road at Kyles Station Road -- one of three

intersections in Liberty Township slated for improvements in 1998.

 

LOCAL FUNDS BY FORCE ACCOUNT


 

One Intersection Improvement

School Road at Ohio 128

Estimated total project cost: $10,000

 

ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS



FEDERAL FUNDS



Cincinnati Dayton Road from Ohio 63 to Oxford State Road -- Widen to five

lanes

Contract amount: $5,288,304

(Cities of Monroe and Middletown are contributing funds to this project.)
Photo: Cincinnati Dayton Road is being widened to five lanes between

Ohio 63 and Oxford State Road.

 

Ohio 747 from Ashley Drive to south of Smith Road -- Widen to four lanes

Contract amount: $3,029,000



Reily Millville Road from Bunker Hill Woods Road to U.S. 27 -- Widen existing

lanes and shoulders; realignment

Estimated total project cost: $1,000,000



Cincinnati Dayton Road from I-75 to Maud Hughes Road -- Widen to five lanes; upgrade I-75 interchange. Design and engineering; construction in 1999

Estimated total project cost: $17,500,000



STATE ISSUE 2 FUNDS



Crescentville Road from Ohio 747 to I-75 -- Widen to five lanes. Design and engineering; construction in 1999

Estimated total project cost: $2,000,000

(Cities of Springdale and Sharonville will contribute funds to this project.)



LOCAL FUNDS BY FORCE ACCOUNT



Turn lane addition

Ohio 128 at Ross High School

Estimated total project cost: $10,000

PAVING

All paving contracts will also include the resurfacing of various Township roads

which will increase the estimated total project cost from the figures listed below.

This information however was not available from the Townships until after the

time of this publication.



LOCAL FUNDS BY CONTRACT



Paving of County (and Township) Roads

20.7 miles of County paving:

Augspurger Road - New Miami corp. To Wayne Madison Road

Brown Road - Oxford corp. north and Preble County line south

Bunker Hill Woods Road - Reily Millville Road to Garver Elliot Road

Peoria Reily Road - Indiana state line to Springfield Road

Stillwell Road - Ohio 732 to Bunker Hill Woods Road

Stillwell Beckett Road - U.S. 27 to Ohio 177

Estimated total cost: $971,734


 

RAILROAD CROSSINGS


 

Garver Elliot Road at CSX Crossing -- Lights and gates; realignment; elimination

of nearby crossings at Law and Pierson Roads

Estimated total project cost: $325,000

(Funding: Federal, PUCO, CSX, Local)





Garver Elliot Road at CSX Railroad in Reily Township will be upgraded

to include lights and gates on a realigned crossing. Two dangerous

crossings very nearby, Law Road and Pierson Road, will be eliminated.



OTHER


 

FEDERAL FUNDS



Guardrail upgrades

Hamilton Eaton Road

Estimated project cost: $200,000



Raised pavement markers

Various County roads

Estimated project cost: $200,000



Bike path project

Cox Road from Tylersville Road to U.S. 42

Estimated project cost: $480,000

(Additional funding: Union Township - engineering; BCEO - administration.)



COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS



Contract B-F-97-009--1 -- Five projects

Village of College Corner - Various street improvements

Village of New Miami - Street resurfacing

Village of Seven Mile - Storm sewer improvements

Village of Somerville - Various street improvements

City of Trenton - Storm sewer and sidewalk project

Total project cost: $314,000



LOCAL FUNDS BY FORCE ACCOUNT



Annual weed spray for guardrail/Broadleaf/Johnsongrass

Various County roads

Estimated project cost: $21,000



Drainage improvements

Morganthaler Road at Jackson Road

Tylersville Road at King Avenue

Estimated total project cost: $20,000

 

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS MANAGED BY BCEO

FOR TID



TID Contract 97-09 -- Muhlhauser Road Extension, Construction of two bridges.

Contract amount: $1,533,004

Photo: Construction of Muhlhauser Road Extension bridge substructures last year.

 

1998 PROJECTED REVENUE

INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE

Gasoline Tax: $1,098,674

Motor Vehicle License Fees: $5,329,700

Permissive Tax - State Levy: $763,999

Total: $7,192,373

INTRAGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE

 

Carryover: $2,829,003

Sales: $207,797

Fines: $360,036

OTHER:

Reimbursements: $552,140

Inspection Fees & Permits: $195,180

Other Motor Vehicle: $2,157,632

Sales of assets: $9,546

Local Sales Tax: $1,000,000

Total: $7,311,334

Total funds available: $14,503,707