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The
County bridge crew installs a new timber deck on the Mill Road
bridge, after they had
completed repairs on the truss superstructure.
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Christina’s...
A
unique place to shop
Darke County Engineer Jim Surber...
34th Annual Darke County Engineer’s Annual Report 2011
By James P. Surber P.E., P.S.
Darke County Engineer
In his report, Darke County Engineer notes two bridges that are
historic. One of them is the Mill Road bridge off Hwy 36 (near
Gettysburg) that is currently under restoration. It was built in 1881
and the current plans are to restore it for pedestrians and bicycles on
the Darke County multi-use trail under construction, in phases, from
Bradford to Greenville. The department hopes to have work completed by
late spring this year.
Noting that the county has “managed to save it over all these years,”
Surber added, “the structure is made entirely of wrought iron and
should remain in service for decades from now.”
Following is Surber’s 2011 report in its entirety:
This report is prepared yearly for the taxpayer to accurately see all
public money received, exactly how that money was spent, and what was
accomplished. After nearly thirty-five years, it continues to be a
challenge to maintain and improve the County roads and bridges in Darke
County, which has more of both than any other county in Ohio.
Besides normal maintenance, last year we contracted hot mix asphalt on
32.26 miles. Our employees sealed cracks on 22.97 miles, surface
treated 0.66 miles, and replaced 83 culverts and 22 subsurface tile
crossings. Additionally, we designed and constructed two new bridges,
rehabilitated three bridges, and performed three large culvert
replacements for three Boards of Township Trustees. An additional new
bridge was constructed on Otterbein-Ithaca Road as a part of a
cooperative road reconstruction project with the Trustees of Harrison
and Butler Townships, and the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Dealing with shrinking base revenues and rising costs, we still managed
to keep expenses below receipts by $20,829.21. We are now concentrating
on pavement preservation and bridge rehabilitation projects, and are
fortunate to have been able to replace 401 bridges during the past
thirty-four years; eliminating the necessity and costs if we were
facing the replacement of ten to twelve bridges each year. Readers are
encouraged to contact us with questions or comments. Phone:
937-547-7375 or email: dce@earthlink.net
2011
RECEIPTS
2011 EXPENDITURES
Motor License Fee $
2,290,322.74
Resurfacing & New Pavements $
1,828,419.13
Gas
Tax
$
2,310,206.90
Bridge Construction & Maint.
$ 240,535.11
Recycling & Sales
$
156,621.79
Labor &
Salaries
$ 1,306,784.58
Reimbursements
$
612,158.50*
Fringe
Benefits
$ 481,567.50
Interest
$
70,951.21
Equipment &
Repairs
$ 329,464.58
Fuel (All Co. Departments)
$ 383,426.82
*Fuel
=$211,732.01
Road
Maintenance Materials
$ 715,849.03
Grants =
$199,000.00
Utilities/Office/Bldg.
$ 43,844.34
Projects & Misc.=
$201,426.49
Culverts
&
Tile
$ 77,639.99
Misc.
expenses
$ 11,900.85
Total Receipts: $5,440,261.14
Total
Expenditures:
$5,419,431.93
(2010 Receipts:
$5,130,487.80)
(2010 Expenditures: $5,108,337.70)
(2009 Receipts:
$5,092,452.52)
(2009 Expenditures: $4,876,878.41)
(2008 Receipts:
$5,429,904.00)
(2008 Expenditures: $5,436,072.59)
(2007 Receipts:
$5,489,589.47)
(2007 Expenditures: $5,365,189.14)
(2006 Receipts:
$5,183,892.03)
(2006 Expenditures: $4,784,692.36)
(2005 Receipts:
$4,901,976.12)
(2005 Expenditures: $4,887,503.48)
MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
Miles of Road Resurfaced:
32.26 Warning & STOP signs
installed:
714
Miles of Road Chip-Sealed:
0.66 Reflective post strips
installed: 2,690
Miles of Road Crack-Seal:
22.97 Centerline
Striping:
479.369 c/l miles
New Bridges Constructed:
3 Edge line
Striping: 905.220
lane-miles
Large Culverts Replaced:
3
Bridge Guardrail upgrades: 2
locations
Bridges Rehabilitated:
3+
EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES
2 -new tractors & mowers:
$80,314.00 3- 2011
Dodge
pickups:
$56,676.00
Welder, pump, radios, etc.:
$28,988.20 Kaeser
portable compressor: $14,571.08
2011 Dodge 5500 utility: $36,210.00
MAINTENANCE DATA
(In the maintenance of 519.07 miles of roadway)
County road culverts replaced: 83 on 10 roads using 3,280 feet of RCP
conduit (12”-30”)
Subsurface crossings installed: 22 (1,141 feet of conduit) Catch
Basins/Inlets installed: 32
Additional conduit installed along roadway: 1280 ft.
Total conduit installed: 5701 Lin.
Ft.
Diesel used: 47,719 Gals.
Signs & posts purchased: $
80,996.76
Gasoline used: 7,596 Gals.
Sign repair/replacement: 1127
locations
Salt & ice grits purchased: $196,174.74
Mowing (lineal): 15,296
miles
Township culverts replaced: 6
MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY
County Roads: 519.07
miles
County and Township Bridges (over 10’ span): 530
Large culverts: (30”-10 ft.):
364
Roadway culverts (12”-30”): 1560 (EST.)
Right-of-way: 3308
acres
Stop signs: 797
Warning signs:
2330
Road name signs:
1914
2011 ROAD RESURFACING
We contracted resurfacing of 32.26 miles on thirteen different roads
which is about 6% of the total Darke County road mileage (519.07). The
resurfacing program used 26,326 tons of asphalt (805 tons/mile avg.)
and 3970 cubic yards of shoulder aggregate (122 cubic yards/mile
avg.). Walls Brothers Asphalt Company performed the work from May
through July.
All resurfacing was funded with 100% County revenue.
ROAD NAME
LENGTH
ASPHALT AGGREGATE
TOTAL COST
(Miles)
(Tons)
(Cu. Yd.)
Brock-Cosmos
3.36
2588.43
437.49
$ 178,543.69
Boyer
2.05
1600.83
232.63
$
109,469.83
Hillgrove-Southern
1.72
1400.10
218.24
$ 96,669.86
Horatio-Harris
Creek
5.15
4413.00
674.71
$ 303,021.10
Beamsville-Union
City
5.27
4287.65
697.10
$ 294,935.58
Versailles-Southeastern
5.07
4296.08
634.69
$ 297,183.24
Darke-Mercer Co.
Line
1.58
1258.37
222.27
$ 88,364.90
Beam
0.40
313.15
53.06
$
21,119.75
Arcanum-Bears
Mill
2.50
2030.64
289.55
$ 135,653.72
Oakes
1.95
1508.96
179.96
$ 101,351.70
Willowdell
2.46
1965.57
277.79
$ 135,336.90
Meadow
Lane
0.36
393.30
0
$ 24,856.40
Pitsburg-Laura
0.39
269.92
52.50
$ 18,133.14
Totals
32.26
26,326.00
3,969.99
$1,804,639.80
The 2011 resurfacing costs averaged $ 55,940 per mile, and in 2010, the
cost was $57,958. In 2009, 2008, and 2007, the costs were $53,873,
$50,469, and $45,944, respectively. In the last four years, resurfacing
costs have risen over 21 per cent.
County personnel and equipment placed new chip-seal surfaces on
Greenville-Celina and Meadow Lane totaling 0.66 miles. The total cost
for the two roads was $7,511.25 ($11,380 per mile) of which $4,726.25
was materials and $2,785.00 was labor and equipment.
PAVEMENT MARKINGS
We contracted the application of 479.369 miles of new centerline
markings with no-passing zones, and 905.22 lane miles of white edge
lines at a total cost of $348,559. Forty three percent ($150,000) of
this was paid by a federal grant, leaving the cost to the County of
$198,651.59. County employees also repainted all “SCHOOL” and “RR
CROSSING” markings. Striping costs averaged $254.76 per mile for yellow
markings and $250.14 per lane mile for white edge lines.
CRACKSEALING OF ROADS
County personnel sealed cracks on 22.97 miles of County Roads during
the year. This consumed 63,430 pounds of sealant at an average
rate of 2761 pounds per mile. The material cost was $26,577
($1,157/mile).
ADDITIONAL PAVEMENT
County crews placed a total of 447 tons of asphalt for pavement
replacement of culvert trenches, subsurface crossings, and curve
widening.
BIKEPATH CONSTRUCTION
We again donated surveying, engineering design, and inspection services
to the Darke County Park District for the construction of 1.05 miles
(Phase 2) of the county’s bike trail. In return, the district secured
grant funding for the cost of materials for a new wooden deck on the
historic Mill Road Bridge (project is ongoing) which carries the
extended bike trail over Greenville Creek.
TOWNSHIP COOPERATIVE ROAD WORK
In 2011, we provided $16,600 in labor and equipment to twelve Townships
and $18,089 in sign upgrade work to eight Townships, all at no charge.
County crews replaced six roadway culverts on four Township Roads in
four different Townships, three large culverts on three Township Roads
in three different Townships, and replaced and installed 314 warning
and regulatory signs in eight Townships.
BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, REHABILITATION & LARGE CULVERT CONSTRUCTION
Three (3) new bridges were constructed, three (3) were rehabilitated,
one (1) is under rehabilitation and three (3) large culverts were
constructed on local roads in 2011. All design was by Darke County
personnel, and the construction of all but one bridge was performed by
County personnel and equipment using 100% local funds:
These costs include additions for overhead on labor and materials as
mandated by Ohio law and the State Auditor’s policies for force account
bridges built after 07/01/03.
Road
Bridge No. Span x Width
Costs
Materials Labor & Equip. Total
NEW BRIDGES
Ohio-Indiana Line
C011-0427
39’x28’
$ 74,327.78 $ 17006.78
$91,334.56*
Longcreek
T295-0030 10’x 8’x
64’ $ 35,715.51 $
11,490.53 $47,206.04
Otterbein-Ithaca
T048-0103 14’x 6’x
60’ Total Contract
Cost:
$57,421.80**
*Darke County Cost: (1/2) =
$45,667.28
Total Local Cost for 3 structures:
$92,873.32
** 26% share paid through project in-kind engineering services
BRIDGE REHABILITATION AND REPAIR
The Arcanum-Bears Mill Road Bridge (longest bridge in Darke County)
over Greenville Creek received major rehabilitation by the County
Bridge Crew. The 250 foot-long, five-span concrete slab bridge, built
in 1967, was deteriorated on both deck sides by years of salt and
weathering. All loose and defective concrete was removed from the top,
bottom, and sides of the deck edges. Permanent steel forms were
installed to retain the new concrete and the deck was fitted with
waterproofing, new guardrail and new pavement. The repairs will protect
and preserve the bridge and avoid replacement which would cost over
$1.3 million at today’s prices.
Arcanum-Bears Mill C034-0644
(250’x28’)
$40,087.86 $
59,235.82 $ 99,323.68
The Hollansburg-Tampico Road Bridge was rehabilitated and widened. The
steel superstructure was removed, cleaned, and widened from 24’ to 28’
with the addition of two steel beams. New capped-pile abutments were
constructed and the bridge re-installed with a new 3”x6” wood deck,
waterproofing and new pavement.
Hollansburg-Tampico C046-0375
(29’x28’)
$30,354.85 $
23,914.55 $54,269.40
The Friday Road bridge was rehabilitated by a cleaning and refinishing
of the steel superstructure, installation of a new 3”x4” wood deck,
waterproofing and new pavement. Pavement was furnished by the Twin
Township Trustees.
Friday
T192-0074
(33’x24’)
$ 6,369.68
$10,667.24 $17,036.92
The Mill Road Bridge (oldest bridge in Darke County at 131 years) is
now being rehabilitated and will carry the proposed bike trail from
Miami County to Greenville. The bridge superstructure has been repaired
and fitted with a new 3”x4” timber strip deck and asphalt chip surface.
Additionally, the masonry abutments will be re-mortared and new
guardrail on the bridge and approaches will be installed when weather
permits.
LARGE CULVERTS
Detrick
Rd.
T163-0158
9’x7’x64’
$27,608.56* $10,705.14
$38,313.70
Disher
Rd.
T188-0190
5’x5’x40’
$13,885.75 * $ 7,266.12
$21,151.87
Hillgrove-South. Rd.
T052-0195
8’x6’x48’
$15,937.10* $ 8,542.21
$24,479.31
*On these three Township projects, the materials were provided by the
Boards of Trustees of Allen, Mississinawa, and Liberty Townships with
the County providing labor and equip.
401 new bridges have been constructed on County and Township Roads
since 1977.
ACTUAL FORCE ACCOUNT BRIDGE COSTS
Reported 2011 costs for two new bridges and three rehabilitations:
$309,170.60
Actual materials & services: $140,047.42
Actual labor, equip. and fringe:
$93,165.55
DARKE’S COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP BRIDGES BY STATE SUFFICIENCY RATING
(Each bridge is rated from 0-100 based upon condition and annual
inspection)
Average sufficiency rating of all bridges is 92.7%
Number of bridges % of total
bridges
Sufficiency Rating
369
69.6%
EXCELLENT (90-100)
139
26.2%
GOOD (70-90)
20
3.8%
FAIR (50-70)
2
0.4%
POOR (0-50)
(The two bridges in poor condition are both historic structures; a 132
foot truss built in 1881 and a 15 foot stone arch built in the
mid-nineteenth century.)
The average age of the 530 bridges on County and Township roads is 30
years.
DETAILED EXPENDITURES FOR 2011
WAGES & FRINGE 33.0
%
IMPROVEMENTS
39.6%
(Official, 29 fulltime, 1
part-time)
(Paving
contracts and materials only)
LABOR
$1,306,784.58
PAVING $
1,804,639.80
PERS
$
183,244.17
BRIDGES $
240,535.11
HEALTH INS. $
248,959.95
CULVERTS $
77,639.99
UNIFORMS
$
13,211.85
ASPHALT
$
23,779.33
MEDICARE $
17,161.57
TOTAL $
2,146,594.23
WKRS. COMP. $
14,730.98
DRUG TESTS
$
1,371.00
ADM.
FEES
$
2,887.98
TOTAL
$1,788,352.08
OVERHEAD
10.1%
MAINTENANCE MATERIALS & SERVICES 13.3 %
UTILITIES/BLDG.
MAINT. $
43,844.34
SALT & ICE GRITS $ 196,174.74
PARTS &
SUPPLIES
$
84,862.28
SIGNS & POSTS
$
80,996.72
FUEL (all County Depts.) $
383,426.82
CRACK SEALING $
55,305.33
TIRES
$
8,547.62
GRAVEL
$
20,725.93
LUBRICANTS /FILTERS
$
14,602.10
PAV’T MARKING $
348,559.00
REPAIRS (BY OTHERS)
$
4,693.30
ASPH. EMULSION $
14,087.31
MISC.
$
11,900.85
TOTAL
$
715,849.03
TOTAL
$
551,877.31
NEW EQUIPMENT: $216,759.28 4.0%
TOTAL 2011 EXPENDITURES: $5,419,431.93
Expenditures increased $311,094.23 over 2010, due to grant money
received and spent on signs and pavement markings, and from funds spent
and reimbursed for a bridge and three Township cooperative projects.
Our base receipts from gas tax and license combined were down
$54,286.67 from 2010, and our interest receipts were down $85,062.53.
Rising costs of everything in road and bridge construction and
maintenance are more challenging to face with continually decreasing
revenue. To stretch the dollars, we operate with a staff of 30% fewer
employees than were present in 1977, and they continue to perform all
functions except asphalt paving and pavement marking. We also continue
to maintain a healthy fund balance as a defense against further
economic downturn. Our greatest challenge is to continue to fund an
adequate annual resurfacing program to maintain the quality of our
pavements.
_____________________________________________________________________________
BY DISTRIBUTION OF STATE TAXES ON FUEL AND FEES FOR VEHICLE LICENSING
(PLATES)
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A LOCAL TAX FOR THE BENEFIT OF COUNTY ROADS AND
BRIDGES IN THE HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
NO REAL ESTATE TAXES, SALES TAXES, OR GENERAL FUND MONEYS PAY
FOR ANY MAINTENANCE OR CONSTRUCTION ON DARKE COUNTY ROADS
OR BRIDGES
THIS DEPARTMENT HAS NO DEBT AND OWNS 100% OF ALL EQUIPMENT.
Darke County Engineer’s Office
County Courthouse
504 South Broadway
Greenville, Ohio 45331-1994
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The
Mill Road Bridge. The crew has remortared both masonry abutments
and have fabricated new
pieces to replace member retaining clips that
had broken over the years. The work on the bridge should
be completed
in late spring of this coming year.
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