Mercer County Engineer Outlines Busy Road and Bridge Construction Season

Mercer County Engineer Jim Wiechart says crews are in the middle of a busy construction season that includes bridge replacements, pavement widening, chip sealing and other maintenance projects across the county.

Wiechart recently discussed the work of the Engineer’s Office during an appearance on WCSM’s Spectrum.

The office is responsible for 386 miles of county roads and 364 bridges located on county and township roads. While township trustees oversee the county’s 444 miles of township roads, the Engineer’s Office is responsible for bridges located along those roads.

The office also operates Mercer County’s ditch maintenance program, which includes approximately 130 miles of open ditches and another 80 miles of underground tile ditches.

Bridge Work Underway

One of the county’s largest upcoming projects is the replacement of a bridge on Siegrist Jutte Road, just east of State Route 49.

Wiechart said the project is fully funded through federal assistance and will be completed by local contractor Jutte Excavating. The work will include replacement of the bridge and improvements to the adjoining roadway approaches.

Construction is expected to begin within the next several weeks, with the bridge scheduled to reopen toward the end of the fall.

County crews are also completing a bridge project on Yoder Road near Cassella-Montezuma Road in Marion Township. Additional smaller bridge replacements are planned on Sharpsburg Road and Erastus Durbin Road.

Seven existing bridges will also receive waterproofing treatments. Wiechart said the county has replaced many bridges during the past two to three decades and is now working to extend the lives of those structures through preventative maintenance.

Nearly 100 Miles Chip Sealed

The Engineer’s Office has nearly completed its annual chip seal program.

Wiechart said crews treated close to 100 miles of county and township roads this year, using approximately 500,000 gallons of asphalt emulsion and more than 12,000 tons of stone.

Crews will now begin applying fog seal to many of those roads. Fog sealing places another protective layer over the chip seal surface and is expected to continue for the next two to three weeks.

Wiechart asked drivers to slow down and give employees room when approaching construction and maintenance crews.

More Than 16 Miles of Roads Being Widened

The county is also preparing for what Wiechart described as a major year for pavement widening.

Approximately 16.6 miles of pavement will be widened on portions of:

• Sharpsburg Road
• Township Line Road
• Mud Pike
• Philothea Road
• St. Anthony Road
• Coldwater Creek Road
• Chickasaw Road

Many of the roads are currently between 18 and 20 feet wide. Once the projects are completed, the pavement will generally be approximately 24 feet wide.

Wiechart said the additional width will make the roads safer and better able to accommodate the amount and size of traffic they now carry.

The county has also completed dirt, shoulder and clear-zone widening along portions of Coldwater Creek Road, Harrison Road and other county roads.

A clear zone is the area immediately beside the pavement that provides drivers with additional space if their vehicle leaves the roadway. The Engineer’s Office works to keep those areas relatively flat and free of fixed objects that could create additional hazards.

Future Projects Being Planned

The county is already planning several projects for 2027 and beyond.

A section of Philothea Road between Township Line Road and State Route 118 is scheduled for dirt and shoulder widening. Some preliminary work could begin later in 2026.

Mercer County received a $375,000 Transportation Improvement District grant through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Jobs and Commerce program to assist with the project.

Additional work is being planned along St. Johns Road and Schroeder Road.

The county is also acquiring right-of-way along Tama Road between State Route 118 and U.S. 127. Wiechart said traffic continues to increase along Tama Road, with utility relocation and widening work expected within the next several years.

Drivers Reminded About Roadside Obstructions

Wiechart also reminded landowners to watch for crops, signs and other objects that may obstruct drivers’ views at intersections.

Tall corn can make it difficult for motorists to see approaching traffic, particularly at rural intersections. Landowners who notice a visibility problem are encouraged to address it before an accident occurs.

Political signs and other privately owned objects should also be kept outside the public road right-of-way. Utility poles can often provide property owners with a general indication of how far the road right-of-way extends.

Wiechart said the Engineer’s Office works to keep disruptions to the public as limited as possible, but motorists can help by slowing down and giving crews the time and space needed to safely complete their work.