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Franklin County Engineer

As a local public works agency headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the Franklin County Engineer's Office is responsible for the maintenance and construction of 271 miles of county roadway and 351 county bridges, as well as upkeep of all county ditches, drains, retention basins, and other storm water facilities within the right-of-way of county roads in unincorporated areas. To meet the continuing development and infrastructure needs of Franklin County, the Engineer's Office utilizes the latest technologies for determining and maintaining roadway centerlines and boundaries; retracing and setting new monuments for original public land surveys; preparing geographic information system mapping for real estate tax assessments; and establishing precise countywide horizontal and vertical control to maintain uniformity in construction, surveying, and mapping.
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Norton Road, between Johnson Road and Kropp Road, is closed for bridge rehabilitation work. The closure will last approximately sixty (60) days, weather permitting.
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
#TeamFCEO was proud to take part in the Rise Up CBUS event at Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church. We enjoyed connecting with the residents, sharing resources, and highlighting how our work supports safer and stronger neighborhoods across Franklin County. Thank you to everyone who stopped by. We enjoyed connecting with the
community!
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Galloway Road, between Alkire Road and O’Harra Road, is now opened to traffic.
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Please join us in congratulating Leo Kasson on his well-earned retirement! With deep appreciation, we recognize Leo's years of dedicated service, leadership, and commitment to excellence. His contributions have made a lasting impact, and he will be truly missed. Wishing you all the best in this next chapter, Leo. May it be filled with relaxation, joy, and new adventures!
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Galloway Road, between Alkire Road and O’Harra Road, is closed for railroad crossing rehabilitation. The closure will last approximately one (1) day, weather permitting.
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Members of the Franklin County Engineer’s Office had the pleasure of attending the COMTO Columbus Scholarship Luncheon today. It was truly inspiring to see the next generation of leaders in transportation, STEM, and a variety of other disciplines being recognized for their talent, dedication, and potential. Congratulations to all of this year’s scholarship recipients. We’re excited to see where your journeys take you! #COMTOColumbus
Franklin County Engineer's Office
970 DUBLIN ROAD
COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
(614) 525-3030
fracoeng@franklincountyengineer.org

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Highway Chronicle Chapter 4

Highway Chronicle Chapter 4

Original Franklin County Highways are Built

horse ride
trees

In 1826, the general assembly approved legislation incorporating the Columbus & Sandusky Turnpike Company to build a highway to the Lake Erie region. The 106-mile long turnpike was opened in 1834 for $75,000. The compacted clay and loam surface, however, proved to be inferior to macadam construction and was often described by disgruntled travelers as “the long line of mud.”

Corduroy roadways, consisting of logs embedded side by side across mud-prone areas, were constructed to provide passable surfaces. Heavy use eventually caused them to slump and become hazardously bumpy.

Building plank roads with 8-foot long boards laid upon an extensive 16-foot wide framework of stringers was another early innovation, but maintaining the wooden members was arduous work.

Despite the lack of uniformity in construction, a highway boom across Franklin County eventually included the Columbus & Portsmouth Turnpike (1847), Columbus & Harrisburg Turnpike (1849), Columbus & Worthington Plank Road, replacing the Franklin County section of the Columbus & Sandusky Turnpike (1850), Columbus & Groveport Turnpike (1850), Johnstown Plank Road (1852), Columbus & Granville Turnpike (1852), Franklin & Jackson Turnpike (1852), Columbus & Sunbury Plank Road (1852); and the Clinton & Blendon Plank Road to Westerville (1854).

These early thoroughfares were operated by incorporated highway companies that financed construction and maintenance costs through stock sales, toll collections, and government appropriations.