Commissioners approve HRG contract using Act 13 funds to design Shimstown Road bridge

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize an agreement with HRG for engineering and design services for the replacement of the Shimstown Road (Bridal 118) bridge over Licking Creek.

Quentin, the county planning director, told commissioners the project will be funded from Act 13 Marcellus Shale impact funds and described the structure as an "adjacent box beam" bridge the county is working to replace because it is substandard. Quentin estimated the engineering timeline at about 18 months and said staff may delay bidding to bundle the project with another to reduce procurement and construction costs.

A commissioner asked whether the available Act 13 funding would cover the $359,000 referenced in the materials and whether using that pot of funds would exhaust the account. Quentin said the county has an available balance in the restricted bridge funding pot and that Act 13 funds have been the county's first source for eligible bridge projects; he noted that revenues have generally been declining but that additional funds remain for future projects.

The board approved the contract authorization to proceed with HRG engineering and design work. Staff will bring contract documents forward for execution and continue project planning and schedule work.

Why it matters: replacing an aging substandard bridge addresses public-safety and infrastructure needs, using state Act 13 funds dedicated for projects related to Marcellus Shale impact distributions.

Next steps: HRG will begin engineering and design work, and staff will continue planning for potential bundling with other projects to seek construction efficiencies.