THE COUNTY ROAD SYSTEM AND CERTAIN BRIDGES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

The Ohio Revised Code designates four major types of roads: (1) State Highways, (2) County Roads, (3) Township Roads, and (4) Municipal Streets.

The County Road System

The County Road System includes all roads, including the bridges on these roads, that are established as part of the county system of roads pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Sections 5541.01 to 5541.02. These roads connect with a state highway, connect with another county road, or connect a village or center of population to a county or state highway. The system is determined by the Board of County Commissioners and is designated on a map prepared by the County Engineer. Mileage for the system is submitted annually to the Director of ODOT, who must certify that all portions of the county road system connect with either a state or intercounty highway, or another county road.

The County Engineer is the engineer for all roadway public improvements under the authority of the Board of County Commissioners and is charged with the duty to construct, reconstruct, improve, and maintain county roads. O.R.C. § 5543.01.

The County Road System of Montgomery County contains approximately 310 miles of county roadway. All County Roads are located within the unincorporated jurisdictions of Montgomery County (e.g., Townships). Many of these roads were established in the 1800’s, have low volumes of traffic, and are located in agricultural areas with no existing pedestrian facilities.

Certain Bridges under the Board’s jurisdiction

In addition to the bridges located on roads within the County Road System, the Board of County Commissioners of Montgomery County has the duty to construct and repair certain bridges that are not on county roads:

Bridges on Township Roads: O.R.C. Section 5591.21 provides that a board of county commissioners has a duty to construct and keep in repair all necessary bridges over streams and public canals on the improved roads of a township.

Certain Bridges within Cities: O.R.C. Section 5591.02 provides that a board of county commissioners shall construct and keep in repair all necessary bridges in municipal corporations on all improved roads that are of general and public utility (as opposed to local roads), running into or through the municipal corporations, and that are not on state highways.

All total, the Montgomery County Engineer’ Office is responsible for 520 bridges within the County.