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Commissioners approve countys public-works priority list, puts Ashlands Ballantine Valley Drive bridge first
Summary
On Oct. 23, 2025, the Action County Commissioners approved a priority list for Ohio Public Works funding that places the City of Ashlands Ballantine Valley Drive bridge replacement as the countys top submission to District 16; County Engineer Ed Meichner explained the scoring process and next steps.
The Action County Commissioners on Oct. 23 approved a county priority list for Ohio Public Works funding that ranks the City of Ashlands Ballantine Valley Drive bridge replacement as the countys first priority to submit to District 16.
County Engineer Ed Meichner told the board the county received three applications this year, from the village of Perrysville, the village of Loudounville and the city of Ashland. He recommended the Ashland bridge project receive the countys priority points under the long-standing rotation with the city.
"We have three projects this year from around the county," Meichner said. "The city has chosen this Ballantine Valley Drive bridge replacement project." He described the district process: projects are scored at the county level, submitted to District 16 (made up of eight counties), and then scored at the district level where additional points can be awarded based on district needs.
Meichner outlined criteria the district uses in scoring, including required project life (longer-life projects such as bridges typically score higher than short-lived street resurfacing) and a need to balance types of projects. He said there are multiple funding pots, including a loan pot and a capital-improvements pot funded by a one-cent portion of the gas tax that can be used only for roads and bridges.
Project cost figures were reported in Meichners presentation: the city of Ashlands estimate for the Ballantine Valley Drive bridge was stated as $787,954. The Loudounville project was described in the presentation with figures stated as "1000000 dollar project" and "$500,000" in sequence; Perrysvilles West First Street and Cherry Alley sanitary sewer project was described as a $988,000 project. The district is scheduled to meet in the first or second week after Thanksgiving to score district submissions and determine funding based on scores and available funds.
A motion to approve the countys priority list was made, seconded and approved on roll call.
The county will submit the approved priority list to Ohio Public Works Commission District 16 and await the districts scoring and funding decisions after their meeting following Thanksgiving.
