October 31, 2006

PRESS RELEASE                                                  (IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

ENGINEER REMINDS CITIZENS ABOUT RIGHT-OF-WAY PERMITS

Did you know a permit is required to perform any work within the county road rights-of-way?  Fairfield County Engineer, Frank W. Anderson would like everyone to know, including citizens, contractors, and utility companies that a permit is required for any work to be done whether it is a driveway culvert or a utility project.  The permit system insures compliance with uniform standards for proper drainage and safety through correct culvert sizing, driveway location/sight distance and utility setback.

Engineer Anderson said there is currently no fee for a right-of-way permit, but there is an application process.  Applications may be obtained at the Engineer�s Office, by calling the Administrator of Technical Services at 740-687-7050, or by downloading it from the Engineer�s web site at www.fceo.org.

The Engineer issues permits for county roads which are local roads outside of cities and villages.  Permits along US and State Routes are issued by ODOT.  Anderson said the county has a 60-foot right-of-way on most county roads, although some widths may be as narrow as 30 feet or as wide as 100 feet and may vary considerably in the vicinity of road intersections or bridge and drainage structures.  Generally, you can determine the approximate right-of-way for most county roads by measuring 30 feet from the centerline.  Objects such as large boulders, fences, entrance pillars, and mailbox supports that won�t break away if struck by a vehicle, must not be placed in the county road right-of-way.  Roadside hazards such as these can become liabilities to the property owner in the event of a motor vehicle accident.

The Engineer also has a Right-of-Way Policy, Anderson said.  The policy is on the web site and reads as follows:

Right-of-Way Permit

No work shall be done or object placed within the right-of-way of a county road prior to obtaining a Right-of Way Permit from the Fairfield County Engineer.  Large rocks, personalized mailboxes, fences, and other such obstacles become liabilities in accidents resulting in injury or death.  

Residential Driveway Culvert Pipe

The culvert pipe shall be a minimum of 16 gauge galvanized corrugated metal or double walled plastic (if approved in the permit process) pipe.  The pipe shall be a minimum of 12 inches in diameter and 30 feet in length.  Appropriate bands shall be used to join the necessary sections of pipe to prevent displacement.

After the existing vegetation is removed from the roadside ditch, the culvert shall be underlaid with two inches of gravel and covered with sufficient gravel so that the completed installation will provide for drainage of water away from the existing county road pavement.

Driveway Design

An approved permit is required before constructing a driveway onto a county road.  Driveways forcing vehicles to back out onto the public highway shall not be permitted.  Concrete placed within 4 feet of the edge of pavement shall be at least �� below the pavement surface, as measured down from a projection of the pavement surface cross slope of the road.

Drainage

Drainage into the right-of-way ditch shall be by permit only.  Drainage of treated effluent shall be as a last resort only, and a permit application must be accompanied by a letter from the Fairfield County Health Department, stating that no other reasonable option is available.

Planting

It is recommended that there be no planting, other than grass, within 30 feet of the centerline of the road.  (Plantings along the road can be affected by winter road treatments and can create sight distance problems.  Planters, rocks, or other objects more than 6 inches above ground may also constitute potential road hazards.)

Rural Mailbox

Mailbox supports must be in accordance with the current ODOT design manual.  Supports for rural mailboxes must be of the "breakaway" type.  Standard supports are a 4-inch x 4-inch square timber post, a 4-1/2 inch round timber post, or a maximum 2-inch I.D. metal post of standard wall thickness (2-3/8" O.D.).  The front leading edge of the mailbox must be at least 2 feet from the traveled edge of the pavement.  At no time shall a mailbox post, support, or structure be anchored or encased in concrete.

Engineer Frank W. Anderson �s chief concern is the safety of the motoring public.  Anderson �s motto is Working Together for Tomorrow.  The cooperation of property owners, contractors, and utility companies is an important factor in this effort!

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October 24, 2006 

PRESS RELEASE                                      (IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

The Fairfield County Engineer�s Office is announcing that the following RICHLAND TOWNSHIP road will be closed for a culvert replacement.  According to Fairfield County Engineer, Frank W. Anderson:

The intersection of Pleasantville Road (CR17) and Oakthorpe Road (Twp Road 409) will be closed from 7:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Thursday, October 26, 2006.  The closure will be between Pleasantville Road and 6075 Oakthorpe Road affecting the intersection of Pleasantville Road and Oakthorpe Road.

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October 24, 2006 

PRESS RELEASE                                      (IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

The Fairfield County Engineer�s Office is announcing that the following RICHLAND TOWNSHIP road will be closed for a culvert replacement.  According to Fairfield County Engineer, Frank W. Anderson:

Pleasantville Road (CR17) will be closed from 7:00 a.m until 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25, 2006.  This one day closure will be between Gun Barrel Road (Twp Rd 413) and Oakthorpe Road (Twp Rd 409) on Pleasantville Road between house number 7980 and Oakthorpe Road.

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October 19, 2006

PRESS RELEASE                                      (IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

The Fairfield County Engineer�s Office is announcing that the following BLOOM TOWNSHIP road is now opened to traffic.  According to Fairfield County Engineer, Frank W. Anderson:

Winchester Road (CR23) has reopened to traffic following a closure for a culvert replacement.  This closure was between Mason Road NW (Twp Road 193) and Diley Road NW (Twp Road 207) between house number 9715 and 9935.

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