Xenia council authorizes ODOT agreement to replace South Patton Street Bridge; city’s share capped at about $784,700

XENIA — The Xenia City Council voted Feb. 12 to authorize a local project agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation to replace the South Patton Street Bridge after a structural assessment found significant concrete deterioration.

City Manager Merriman told council the revised construction estimate is $2,622,797.90 and that ODOT typically covers 80% of municipal bridge replacement projects but has allocated additional toll-revenue credits to increase its share. "As a result, the bridge construction cost will be split 95% covered by ODOT and 5% by our local share," Merriman said. He identified the local construction share for the state-funded portion as $131,139.90 and estimated the city’s total contribution — including engineering design, right-of-way acquisition and inspection — at $784,735.90.

Merriman said the city submitted a grant application under ODOT’s municipal bridge replacement program last summer; the design estimate and right-of-way work are included in the 2026 budget with construction projected for 2029. He also warned council that if bids come in higher than estimates the city would be responsible for the overage, though sometimes program funds shift among projects when others come in under budget.

Council members asked about the planned transfer of Greene County into ODOT District 7; Merriman said the change should align Xenia with closer regional partners and ease coordination. "It just pairs better because so many of our systems connect to Montgomery County," he said.

Council approved the resolution to authorize execution of the LPA agreement by roll call, allowing staff to proceed with the project’s next steps.

The city manager said staff will return with more detailed design and funding information as the project advances toward bidding, and council discussion noted the potential for bids to exceed current estimates.