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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
This Engineers Week, we proudly recognize the dedicated engineers of the Franklin County Engineer’s Office. Their expertise, innovation, and commitment are essential in designing, maintaining, and improving the roads, bridges, and infrastructure that keep our community safe and connected. From design and construction to problem-solving and sustainability, their work ensures the reliability and efficiency of our transportation network. We are grateful for their hard work and service to the Franklin County community. Thank you for all you do! #EWeek
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Our offices are closed today in recognition of Presidents’ Day. We will reopen Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 7:00 a.m.
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office has canceled the Level 1 Snow Emergency for Franklin County. Thank you to #TeamFCEO Snowfighters who have been hard at work to ensure our roads are clear and safe. Please continue to stay alert and use caution when driving.
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office has declared a LEVEL ONE Snow Emergency. Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be icy. Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously.
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Celebrate Engineers Week with #TeamFCEO! The 2025 Engineers Week theme, “Design Your Future,” highlights the limitless possibilities in engineering. From building strong infrastructure to driving innovation, engineers shape our communities every day. Join us in recognizing their impact and inspiring the next generation! #EngineersWeek #DesignYourFuture
Franklin County Engineer
Franklin County Engineer
Congratulations to Brent Welch on reaching his 15-year milestone anniversary with the Franklin County Engineer’s Office! Your dedication, professionalism, and commitment have been instrumental in supporting our mission and serving the Franklin County community. Thank you for your service and for being an integral part of #TeamFCEO!
Franklin County Engineer's Office
970 DUBLIN ROAD
COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
(614) 525-3030
fracoeng@franklincountyengineer.org

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Snow Fighters

Where’s My Plow

Deployment

During inclement weather, more than 100 Franklin County Engineer Snowfighters work around the clock to maintain safe travel on 850 lane miles of roads and streets and provide road salt and anti-icing chemicals to 32 communities and public agencies.

Deployed in two twelve-hour shifts from three regional facilities, the Snow fighters operate 33 dump trucks equipped with plows and computerized salt spreaders that maximize efficiency. They clear 26 designated routes, as well as those requested by other agencies.

Route checkers, traveling in vehicles equipped with pavement temperature sensors, are in constant contact with command post dispatchers who communicate with the county sheriff’s office, police, and public service departments to ensure fast and efficient snow and ice removal. The dispatchers also monitor the latest weather information from the DTN Weather Sentry.

Snow fighter mechanics provide essential vehicle repair and preventive maintenance services. Snowfighter heavy equipment operators use front-end loaders, stationed at our regional facilities, to load salt trucks and remove snowdrifts from roadways.

Rigorous Training

Snow Fighters participate in an extensive training program that involves both classroom and on-the-road instruction. Every year refresher classes are held to discuss snow fighting strategies, equipment operation and maintenance, and safe driving practices.

Our plow drivers’ knowledge and maneuverability skills are then put to the test at our annual Snow Fighter Roadeo. Competitors are judged for their abilities to maneuver through a difficult obstacle course and in backing their vehicles. It is our goal to prepare the drivers for every type of on-the-road situation and hazard.

Snow Fighters are also judged for their skills in operating a front-end loader, which is used for loading plow trucks with salt and removing snow from roadways and parking lots.

The 34th Snow Fighter ROADEO was held on October 3, 2019 at the Franklin County Engineer 970 Dublin Road location. More than 70 drivers from the engineer’s office and local townships participated

Rigorous Training

Vehicle Tracking

The Franklin County Engineer’s Office operates an automated vehicle locating system (AVL) for snow and ice control equipment. During a storm event, AVL provides managers with unit and driver identification, vehicle location and speed, rate of application for salt and de-icing liquid, and road and air temperatures. The tracking system enables the county to better coordinate their snow and ice control efforts throughout Franklin County. You can find the current location of your plow at our website.

De-Icing Materials

Deicers include salt, the principal road clearing material; liquid calcium chloride, used as a pre-wetting agent and for additional melting power at lower temperatures; and salt brine, sprayed on roadways to delay freezing and enhance salt effectiveness.

Salt is applied at an approximate rate of 400 pounds per mile along a two-lane roadway. During the 2018/19 winter season, we used approximately 12,390 tons of salt that included an 80/20 mix of salt brine and GeoMelt.

The 2020 winter salt price is $80.41 per ton. The total cost for snow and ice control during the 2018/19 winter season was $2,017,521.10 .

Computerized salt spreaders are used to guarantee prescribed application amounts that minimize costs and environmental effects. New de-icing products, that are safer and more effective, are always under consideration as suggested by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

De-Icing Materials

Snowdrift Prevention

To control drifting snow, nearly 30,000 feet of snow fence will be erected along roadways that traditionally experience high winds. In agricultural areas, the engineer’s office conducts an annual program to encourage farmers to leave their partial cornstalks. When left uncut one to two feet above the ground, they are effective in helping to prevent snowdrifts.

During past winters, cornstalk protected roads had considerably fewer snow drift hazards than those that were unprotected. This season, cornstalks will protect nearly 75,000 feet of roadway.

Snow