Section 315.08 of the Ohio Revised Code states:
"The county engineer shall perform for the county all duties authorized or declared by law to be done by a registered professional engineer or registered surveyor...He shall prepare all plans, specifications, details, estimates of cost, and submit forms of contracts for the construction, maintenance, and repair of all bridges, culverts, roads, drains, ditches, roads on county fairgrounds, and other public improvements, except buildings, constructed under the authority of any board within and for the county."
"The engineer shall not be required to prepare plans, specifications, details, estimates of costs, or forms of contracts for emergency repairs authorized under section 315.13 of the Ohio Revised Code."
There are four distinct roadway systems in Ohio: The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is responsible for the State Highway System. This includes federal highways, such as interstate and U.S. routes, and state routes; Within each county, the County Engineer is responsible for a network of County roads; Township trustees oversee maintenance of their individual township systems; and, municipalities maintain streets and alleys within their boundaries.
The County Engineer works with the County Commissioners and Township Trustees to carry out a wide variety of obligations.
County Roadways: The County Engineer is responsible for all maintenance, repair, widening, resurfacing, and (re)construction of pavements and bridges in the County roadway system. Maintenance duties include traffic control, safety projects, mowing, and snow and ice control.
Township Roadways: The County Engineer serves as the engineering advisor to the township trustees for the maintenance, widening, and repair of their roads.
Bridges and Culverts: The County Engineer is fully responsible for the bridges and culverts on the County roadway systems as well as bridges on the Township roadway system and certain bridges within municipalities. Annual bridge inspections and evaluations of the condition and load-carrying capacity of each bridge are part of this responsibility.
The County Engineer participates in county and regional planning commissions. In unincorporated areas, (s)he may also be involved in the establishment and maintenance of petitioned and assessed ditches, sidewalks, and even county airports. In some cases, the County Engineer also serves as the County Sanitary Engineer, supervising construction of sewer and water lines.
Lorain County Engineer
