Your County Engineer, Keith G. Earley, and his staff are responsible for the maintenance and improvement of:
- 300 miles of county roads
- 160 bridges on county and township roads
- 245 culverts
- 210 miles of storm sewers
- Providing engineering services for the 11 Boards of Township Trustees who
maintain 325 miles of township roads
Primary Funding Sources – Gas Tax & License Plate Fees
Gas Tax: 8.8% of the state 22 cent per gallon gasoline tax
is divided equally among the 88 counties. The last full years revenue was in
1998, and all counties received $1,348239. For more information on statewide
road user fees, view www.dot.state.oh.us/finance.
License Plate Fees: The statewide fee for passenger cars is
$20 per vehicle, other vehicle plate fees vary based on usage and weight. In
1998 Lucas County received $6,343140.60 from the statewide license plate fee.
Permissive License Plate Fees: Lucas County has enacted two
of the three allowable five dollar per vehicle fees allowed by the state
legislature to be enacted by counties. This ten dollars per vehicle fee
generated $2,931,145 in 1998.
Other Funds: A portion of the traffic fines is distributed
to the county engineer. In 1998 we received $55,738. Interest received on
dedicated road funds amounted to $431,671 in 1998. We received $214,906 in 1998
as reimbursement for funds spent on projects such as township road improvements,
and an additional $7,424 of misc. funds.
Funds for Specific Projects: State or federal funds are
sometimes available for specific projects. Lucas County actively pursues this
outside funding for specific projects. A large part of these funds for specific
projects have come from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC). These OPWC
funds for infrastructure improvements are distributed on a competitive basis. To
view the Mission of OPWC, connect to
www.pwc.state.oh.us/mission.htm. Over the past eight
years (1991 through 1998) the Lucas County Engineer has received $12.9 Million
in OPWC grants, an average of $ 1.6 Million per year. This program has been a
huge help in meeting Ohio’s infrastructure needs, but the bond program, which
provides two- thirds of the funding for this program will expire in 2006 while
the needs are ongoing. The other major source of funds is federal highway funds
financed by a portion of the federal gas tax. Lucas County has the following
funds approved using federal highway funds:
- $3,780,000 or 80% of the construction and right of way costs to improve
Sylvania Avenue between McCord Rd. and Holland Sylvania Rd. Construction could
be in 2004.
- $1,640,000 to pay 80% of the Lucas County share (half), for major
rehabilitation of the Summit Street Bridge, adjacent to the City of Toledo.
Funding is approved for fiscal year 2004.
- $320,000 or 80% of construction costs to improve 3 miles of Neapolis –
Waterville Rd. in FY2003.
- $324,000 or 80% of the construction cost to improve 2.5 miles of Corduroy
Rd. and Howard Rd. in FY2003.
- $400,000 or 80% of the construction cost to improve 3 miles of Bancroft
St. in FY2004.
- $400,000 maximum to pay 100% of planned safety improvements to various
Lucas County roads in FY2003.
Road Maintenance: Click Here
