New engineer begins first week in Muskingum County

Newly+appointed+engineer%2C+Mark+Eicher+%28right%29+and+Administrative+Deputy%2C+Matt+Russell+meet+with+Muskingum+County+Commissioners+Monday+afternoon.

Newly appointed engineer, Mark Eicher (right) and Administrative Deputy, Matt Russell meet with Muskingum County Commissioners Monday afternoon.

By Christine Holmes, News Director

Former Noble County Engineer, Mark Eicher is beginning his new role in Muskingum County this week.

Eicher is filling the open position following the death of former Muskingum County Engineer, Doug Davis.

After two days on the job in Muskingum County, Eicher has identified several projects he’d like to launch, mainly pertaining to bridges and roads.

One of the largest projects Eicher has assumed as county engineer is a multi-million dollar replacement of the Philo Bridge, which crosses the Muskingum River.

In addition to the bridge project, Eicher will oversee all of the pavement projects scheduled throughout the county this year.

While many will continue as planned, Eicher plans to postpone the paving of Linden Avenue, which was scheduled for the fall of 2018, in order to better repair and preserve the road for the long-run.

“I would rather make some additional repairs, make sure the base is solid and sound and we don’t have to worry about the asphalt before we pave it, because we don’t want to spend $250 thousand dollars to pave it and have it not be ready for it,” said Eicher.

Another preservation-related practice Eicher hopes to incorporate in Muskingum County involves resources used for county bridges.

Eicher said he would like the county to begin pouring its own concrete for bridge beams rather than outsourcing for steel beams.

According to Eicher, the materials for concrete bridges cost less than those for steel beams, and the maintenance can be done by the county’s own staff.

However, it could take upwards of two years for that practice to begin since the switch would involve filing forms and purchasing used equipment.

While Eicher is able to implement some of his former practices from neighboring Noble County, one of his biggest adjustments will come in the winter.

“There are a lot more paved roads that require I think a little bit more attention in the winter time than what we really had to than Noble,” said Eicher. “We have a lot more gravel roads in Noble County.”

Eicher said he will be relying on the guidance and experience of Administrative Deputy, Matt Russell as he begins his first year as county engineer.