NEWS RELEASE
Historic Covered Bridge Closes!
Batavia, Ohio. “Unfortunately, one of our worst fears has played out here,” said Clermont County Engineer Pat Manger. “It now appears that damage to the historic Stonelick Williams Corner Covered Bridge is so severe, that it cannot easily be repaired. The bridge will not be reopened to traffic until middle or late 2012.” The Stonelick Williams Corner Covered Bridge was built in 1878; it is the only covered bridge in Clermont County. Read more.
Cincinnati Enquirer Article. Read more.
WKRC Article. Read More.
Fox19 Article. Read More.
WCPO Article. Read More.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 30, 2010
Annual Road Report
Batavia, Ohio. “The continued growth of Clermont County places an ever increasing burden on the existing network of roads and bridges,” said Clermont County Engineer Pat Manger, in presenting the Board of Clermont County Commissioners with the 2009 Annual Engineer’s Office Report on Roads, Bridges, and Culverts. The Engineer’s Office oversees almost 400 miles of roadway in the county. “In 2009, over $3 million was spent on resurfacing almost 34 miles of county roadways, while $2.6 million was needed to replace three bridges and to repair a landslide,” said Manger. “The majority of the money for resurfacing was made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, while the bridge replacements and landslide repairs were primarily made utilizing dollars obtained through state and federal grants.” Fixing potholes and removing snow from county roadways are also high priority items for the office. In 2009, $260,000 was spent fixing potholes and patching pavement; over $563,000 was spent applying 3,764 tons of salt on slippery and snow covered roadways.
“We have a total of 394 bridges in the county,” added Manger. “We are steadily working on the deficient bridges to ensure they meet safety standards.” Currently we have 69 load restricted bridges and only one of the 69 is restricted to safety equipment and school buses. In 2009, in addition to the bridge replacements mentioned, maintenance was performed on 22 bridges and 54 culverts were fixed or replaced at a total cost of $560,000.
In 2009, the Engineer’s Office spent $377,000 ensuring roadway signs, guardrails, and pavement markings were maintained and easy to see, while over $200,000 was used to maintain roadside ditches and another $191,000 went to repair shoulders on county roadways. “Citizen safety is our number one concern,” said Manger. “I believe the office is continuing to make strides to meet and exceed the demands and expectations of everyone who travels our county roadways.”
Major projects for 2010 include the Old SR74 and College Drive connector, a US50 turn lane between Roundbottom and Pleasant Hill Roads, the Judd Road and Amelia Olive Branch Road intersection, and work on 10 bridge replacements and 9 landslide repairs that are slated for completion in 2011. For more information on the landslide and bridge projects, contact Todd Gadbury at (513) 732-8865.
NEWS ARCHIVE