The Allen County Agricultural Society named the Allen County Engineer’s Office as the Outstanding Fair Supporter of the Year for 2016.  Allen County Engineer, Brion Rhodes and his staff have been instrumental in several projects at the fairgrounds. Campground renovations, drainage/ditch repairs, utility repairs, parking/driveway upkeep, racetrack maintenance and surveying, have all been major contributions to the success of the Allen County Fair. The Allen County Engineer’s Office has also provided shared equipment and services throughout the year.

Earlier this year, the Allen County Engineer’s Office was awarded $586,100 ($310,300 grant and $275,800 loan at 0% for 20 years) from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) to replace the Zurmehly Road Bridge over the Little Ottawa River in Shawnee Township.  The existing bridge (located just east of Shawnee High School) was a 62’ long, 20’ wide steel truss built in 1950 and was structurally deficient.  The new bridge is a pre-stessed concrete box beam bridge 78’ long, 32’ wide, which is much safer for the traveling public.  The OPWC released funding on July 1 and we opened bids that same day.  Three companies bid on the project and the lowest bid was R.G. Zachrich Construction Inc. from Defiance, Ohio with a total bid price of $511,305.59.  Construction started on August 15 and the bridge was re-opened on October 27th,  over two weeks ahead of schedule.  Special thanks goes to the public and especially Shawnee Schools for their understanding, patience and cooperation during the construction.