PUBLIC NOTICE
The Mercer County Engineer, Jim Wiechart, is planning to close Tama Road between Wabash Road and State Route 49 in Liberty Township for a bridge replacement. This road will be closed tentatively on May 16, 2022 and is scheduled to reopen in approximately 3-4 weeks, depending on the weather conditions.
Any additional questions, contact the Mercer County Engineer’s Office at 419-586-7759.
Roadside Herbicide – To spray or not to spray
Roadside herbicide application for the suppression of undesirable vegetation and environmental enhancement, through the use of Environmental Protection Agency approved herbicides, will be performed by licensed personnel along all County Roads in Mercer County and on Township Roads in Center and Jefferson Townships, starting May 5, 2022 extending thru May 31, 2022, according to the Mercer County Engineer Jim Wiechart.
Anyone who has sensitive areas adjacent to any road right-of-way and does not wish for those areas to be treated must erect signs reading “Do Not Spray”.
For further information, contact the office of the Mercer County Engineer at 419-586-7759.
DITCH MAINTENANCE SPRAYING BEGINS
Mercer County Engineer Jim Wiechart is announcing that crews are tentatively scheduled to begin the 2022 herbicidal spray application of various open drainage ditches located in Mercer County. Only those ditches that are on the county maintenance program maintained by the Mercer County Engineer’s Office will be sprayed.
Right of Way Management, St. Joseph, IN has been awarded the contract this year to apply one application of the E.P.A. approved herbicide, to suppress and control undesirable brush and noxious weeds within the channel and maintenance berm.
Weather permitting, the tentatively scheduled completion date for this year’s herbicidal spray application is May 31, 2022. Any landowner having questions or concerns regarding the herbicide application, should contact the Mercer County Engineer’s Office, 419‑586‑7759.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Mercer County Engineer, Jim Wiechart, is planning to close Burkettsville-St. Henry Road between State Route 119 and Carthagena Road in Granville Township for a bridge replacement. This road will be closed tentatively on April 25, 2022 and is scheduled to reopen in approximately 2-3 weeks, depending on the weather conditions.
Any additional questions, contact the Mercer County Engineer’s Office at 419-586-7759.
Spring planting & open ditch maintenance
The Mercer County Commissioners and the Mercer County Engineer would like to remind those who plant and till the fields around the county this spring to remember to avoid planting in the roadway right-of-way. The Engineer and the Commissioner’s Office have maps that identify the varied widths of the road right-of-way throughout the county. More specifically, sight problems limiting the ability of the traveling public to see, can be particularly hazardous.
Also, a reminder to those along county-maintained open ditches. By law there is a maintenance easement for access adjacent to the tops of banks of the open ditches. We encourage the use of filter strips to eliminate sedimentation and soil erosion adjacent to the open ditches. Keep in mind that our maintenance crews use the easement for access for the maintenance operations we perform (the spraying of weeds and brush is the most significant maintenance operation).
Should you have any questions related to these requirements, please feel free to call the Commissioners’ Office at 419-586-3178 or the Engineer’s Office at 419-586-7759.
Road Closures
The Mercer County Engineer, Jim Wiechart, is issuing a reminder to all drivers, that during the construction season and also at other times throughout the year, there are various temporary road closures in the county to allow our crews to do the repair/maintenance work required to keep our roads in good driving condition. These roads may be closed intermittently on our normal work days (Monday thru Thursday 7:30 am-4:00 pm) as conditions and work requirements fashion.
The only reason a driver should bypass a “Road Closed” sign is to access a local address in the “closed” road area. Through travel should detour away from the closure.
If local access is necessary and you must access the “closed” road, please use caution and drive slow to keep yourself and our workers safe.
Any additional questions contact the Mercer County Engineer’s Office at 419-586-7759.
Ohio Law prohibits signs on trees and poles.
Mercer County Engineer Jim Wiechart has issued a reminder that the Ohio Revised Code prohibits the erection of signs or affixing signs, posters or advertisement to any tree or utility pole within the right-of-way of any public highway.
Political candidates, campaign workers and supporters of issues appearing on the ballot are reminded that these signs are subject to removal.
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.
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