County engineer previews five‑year road and bridge program; Mallard Avenue shoulder widening among grant candidates

Franklin County’s engineer presented a preliminary five‑year road and bridge program to the Board of Supervisors, outlining planned bridge abutment repairs, resurfacing projects, a Veil Avenue bridge replacement (archaeological review completed), and a grant application to widen shoulders on Mallard Avenue.

The program itemizes next summer’s projects, including Lark Avenue abutment repair, two county‑line bridge replacements anticipated in coordination with Butler County, a rehabilitation and relocation project on County Road C13, and a Fortieth Street bridge replacement. The Veil Avenue project received archaeologists’ concurrence that allowed the project to proceed; the engineer indicated letting is expected after Oct. 1 to align with the federal fiscal year for federal funding.

Of note, the county applied through the regional program for a $1 million grant to widen shoulders on Mallard Avenue between Arden Road and Highway 3. The engineer said a 4‑foot shoulder is the goal but funding might only support a 2‑foot shoulder; the region’s annual allocation is about $370,000, and a $1 million award would exceed a typical year’s funds and require additional regional funding coordination.

The engineer also reviewed planned bridge deck overlays and other multi‑year projects placed as placeholders in the program for grouping and cost efficiencies. Several projects are county‑line agreements with neighboring counties and will require coordination. Supervisors asked clarifying questions about schedules and funding; the engineer noted many actions depend on federal letting schedules, archaeological clearance, and regional funding decisions.