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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
Let’s celebrate ROUNDABOUTS! These traffic circles keep our roadways flowing smoothly and safely. Here are some tips to make your roundabout experience even better.
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
We are pleased to announce the creation of the Collaborative Right-of-Way Restoration Program (CRR Alley Program). The program seeks to collaborate with local municipalities to improve alleys located near project areas and provide better overall access to the alley systems. We are looking forward to continuing the program during next year’s construction cycle.
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Team FCEO is having a great time at The Ohio State University’s Civil & Environmental Engineering Job Fair! The future engineers are eager to intern and apply what they are learning in the classroom.
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
It’s Roundabout Week! This week we will share the benefits of roundabouts and highlight some of our favorite Franklin County roundabouts. Take a look at the video link to learn the rules of driving roundabouts. Remember to slow down, take a look around, and be ready to yield!
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
#TeamFCEO had an amazing time at the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce Arts in the Alley Parade! Thanks, Grove City Ohio Government for allowing us to be a part of this great community event.
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
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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.