MOUNT VERNON — Road resurfacing will cover fewer miles this year due to rising construction costs.
To keep up with the resurfacing of county roads, County Engineer Cameron Keaton said crews should resurface about 40 miles of roadway each year.
“The past two years, we have been able to meet that goal,” Keaton said. “However, in 2024, we will only be able to resurface 17.5 miles of roadway due to the lack of funds.
“Inflation across the construction industry has grown at a pace that far exceeds any increase in revenues,” Keaton explained.
In 2022, resurfacing cost $42,478 per mile. That number jumped to upward of $69,000 for 2024.
The engineer’s office receives most of its revenue from the gasoline tax and license fees. That revenue remained flat between 2007 and 2018.
In 2018, the commissioners enacted an additional $5 permissive license fee.
In 2019, Ohio raised the fuel tax. The state also imposed additional annual registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles.
“Without additional revenues, the graph will again be flat for the coming years while the price of doing business will continue to increase,” Keaton said.
A study by the Ohio Township Association forecasts a decline in fuel tax revenue due to electric vehicle adoption and improved fuel efficiency. The report suggests possible options to increase revenue.
The 2024 resurfacing program includes Chapel Road (CR16) and New Delaware Road (CR2). Local funds will cover 100% of the $481,447 and $528,826 costs.
Also on the 2024 project list is Phase 1 of the Danville Amity Road improvement project.
Ohio Department of Transportation Safety Funds and Ohio Public Works Commission money will 100% fund the $2.918 million project.
The project is out to bid, with a bid opening scheduled for Jan. 23.
Bridge replacement
Several bridge replacements are on tap for 2024:
•Krause Road (TR112): A design-build project 100% funded through the Bridge Formula Program. Estimated cost is $825,476. Construction is set to begin in the spring. The county commissioners awarded contracts to V.O. Menuez & Son Inc. and Engineering Associates Inc.
•Beckley Road (TR401): Local Bridge Replacement money will cover 95% of the $2.116 million cost. Local funds will cover the remaining 5%. Construction will begin in the spring. The commissioners awarded the contract to Rietschlin Construction Inc.
Box culvert projects
County crews will work on six culvert projects in 2024. Local money will fund all of them:
•Grove Church Road (CR31) $48,000
•Johnstown Road (CR19) $49,000
•Chapel Road (CR16) $62,000
•Mowery Road (TR214) $48,000
•Yankee Street (TR371) $55,000
•College Hill Road (TR307) $50,000
Keaton’s 2024 budget is $7.2 million. The total construction cost of the 2024 projects is $7,182,532.