To the Citizens and Board of County Commissioners of Butler County, Ohio:
I respectfully present the Butler County Engineer’s 2023 Annual Report for your review.
Reflecting on this past year, I am proud to highlight a few significant projects built to enhance the safety and quality of Butler County’s roadway network in 2024.
A key project completed last year was the highly traveled Liberty Way Improvement, the final phase of the Liberty Interchange Modification, completed in 2023. This project provided extra capacity at the Cox Road intersection to alleviate congestion from Costco and other area traffic, which was crucial for the economic growth that continues to develop in Liberty Township.
The $2.7 million rehabilitation of the Cincinnati Dayton Road Bridge lengthened its lifespan by providing stability to the structure over Shaker Creek, resulting in a safe and reliable route for all traveling through Middletown and Monroe.
The roundabout installation at Millikin Road and Morris Road was built in ten weeks during summer break to accommodate surrounding school schedules. Our collaboration with Fairfield Township, area schools, Rack & Ballauer Excavating, and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) enabled us to meet the challenge and open the new roundabout in time for students to return to school in August. This partnership with the contractor and ODOT District 8 resulted in an intersection upgrade that reduces congestion and crash risks and garnered a 2025 Don Conaway Partnering Award sponsored by ODOT and the Ohio Contractors Association (OCA).
Our successful paving program continues to be a cornerstone of our infrastructure efforts. By investing in the maintenance and resurfacing of our roads, we are not only improving the driving experience but also extending the longevity of our roads. This proactive approach helps us keep county roads in good condition for better and safer commuting.
Asphalt and construction costs can fluctuate, impacting our budget and project timelines. However, the BCEO is skilled and experienced in strategic planning and securing federal and state funding, which has been crucial in undertaking these projects. With the support of these and other outside funds, we have been able to maximize the impact of every dollar spent and use our limited resources effectively. As you may know, the primary sources of revenue for the Butler County Engineer’s Office come from license plate fees and gasoline taxes. These funds are essential for maintaining and improving our roadways, and we work hard to make the most of them.
I encourage you to visit our website and Projects Map for detailed information on our projects, updates, and plans. We welcome your questions and suggestions as we work together to build a better Butler County.
Very truly yours,
Gregory J. Wilkens, P.E., P.S. Butler County Engineer