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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
#TeamFCEO supports Baltimore, MD after the devastating collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. We commend the swift actions of the bridge authorities and first responders. Our sincere condolences are with those in mourning following this tragic event. #baltimorestrong
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Lockbourne Road is closed at London-Groveport Road (SR 317) for utility improvements. The road will be closed for approximately two weeks, weather permitting
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
We joined Como Elementary School again this year for their Passion and Purpose Career Day. The kids enjoyed exploring our vehicles and learning about our office. Thank you, Como Elementary, for hosting another successful event!
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Frost Avenue between Mix Avenue and Emmit Avenue is closed due to an emergency repair on a retaining wall. The road will remain closed for two to three weeks or until the repair is completed.
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
In honor of Women’s History Month, we would like to recognize Judith Resnik, Engineer & NASA Astronaut, who was the fourth woman, second American woman, and first Jewish woman to fly in space. #womenshistorymonth
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
As we conclude another Surveyors Week, it's always great to recap with the basics. Check out this video to learn why land surveying is vital to shaping our communities.

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

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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.