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County engineer lays out $192 million five‑year plan, highlights Sunbury interchange and Orange Road grade separation
Summary
Delaware County’s engineer presented a five‑year plan identifying about 80 projects and $192 million in county funding (leveraging $128 million in external funds), with priorities including the Sunbury interchange phases, Home Road rail overpass, Orange Road grade separation and dozens of intersection and roundabout improvements.
Engineer Batson and deputy staff briefed the commissioners on Nov. 19 about revenue trends, staffing and a five‑year capital program that focuses heavily on intersections and major corridor improvements.
Revenue and constraints: Batson explained that the engineer’s office relies on state fuel tax, motor vehicle license fees and sales tax; fuel tax revenue is fixed per gallon and therefore not indexed to construction inflation, which erodes buying power. The office emphasized reliance on sales tax and TIF revenues for capital projects and noted a steady declining balance in motor and gas funds without changes to revenue structure.
Five‑year program and project highlights: The five‑year program identifies roughly 80 projects that use about $192 million in county funds and are expected to leverage more than $128 million in state, federal and local funds. Key projects discussed include:
- Sunbury interchange (I‑71): Phase A is under construction by ODOT (scheduled for completion in October 2027). Phases B and C are in design; Phase B may begin construction in 2027 and Phase C is likely later (around 2029).
- Orange Road grade separation: Staff estimated construction cost at about $42 million and said approved grants total roughly $34 million (an 80% cap on federal/state aid), leaving local match needs that may be met by TIF revenue.
- Home Road extension and rail overpass: Estimated roughly $18 million; staff discussed potential Slate Ridge TIF revenue bonds as a financing mechanism.
- Numerous intersection projects and roundabouts: Staff said intersections comprise roughly 36% of planned contracts and reaffirmed a programmatic shift toward single‑lane roundabouts as a safety and capacity tool; staff listed examples including Hyatts Road, Tussock, and other roundabouts slated for the next several years.
Project delivery and staffing: Batson said the engineer’s office is targeting to maintain roughly 70 employees and acknowledged challenges in attracting and retaining highway workers. He also noted force‑account work (in‑house construction) complements contracted work and highlighted the office’s record of securing outside funding.
What’s next: The engineer will continue right‑of‑way acquisition, design and grant coordination. Commissioners and staff discussed sequencing, developer contributions and TIF‑based financing for large projects; no formal votes were taken at the Nov. 19 meeting.
