Bridge Inspection
Mercer County Engineer Jim Wiechart announced recently that the yearly bridge inspections of Mercer County’s 379 bridges on township and county roads have been completed. Engineer Wiechart completed the inspections before the end of 2021.
“Bridge inspection is completed annually for several very important reasons. First our bridge maintenance/work orders are generated directly from our yearly inspections. Secondly, decisions on future bridge replacements/rehabilitations are made as a result of the condition ratings garnered from the inspection. Third and most importantly, we inspect them to protect the public that uses them each day.”
In Ohio, the professionally licensed and elected County Engineer manages and oversees bridge inspections on township and county roadways. Any questions, concerns about bridges may be directed to the engineer’s office.
Snow –do not plow onto roadways
The Mercer County Engineer, Jim Wiechart, is reminding residents living on county and township roadways not to leave snow plowed from private driveways on the roadway.
Ohio law prohibits the placement of injurious material or any obstruction on a highway except that which is placed on the roadway by a proper authority, such as salt or grit the county and townships use to treat icy roads.
If it is found that snow displaced from a private drive onto a roadway contributes to an accident, the individual who placed it there could be found liable.
According to Sheriff Jeff Grey of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, placing injurious materials or obstructing the roadway is a criminal offense.
Any additional questions contact the Mercer County Engineer’s Office at 419-586-7759.
Mailbox Repair-Monday after Thanksgiving
Mercer County Engineer Jim Wiechart is announcing the policy covering replacement and repair of mailboxes damaged by county crews plowing snow.
Mailboxes and posts damaged by snow and ice thrown from plow blades will not be repaired by the Engineer’s office. Boxes and posts damaged by contact from a plow blade or truck will be replaced by the Engineer’s office, using light-weight standard steel mailboxes and posts.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Mercer County Engineer, Jim Wiechart, is planning to close Tama Road between SR 118 and Now Road in Hopewell Township for a bridge replacement. This road will be closed tentatively on October 26, 2021 and is scheduled to reopen in approximately 4-5 weeks, depending on the weather conditions.
Any additional questions, contact the Mercer County Engineer’s Office at 419-586-7759.
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