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Highway Department

Responsible for maintaining the roads in Franklin County

Contact Information

400 E Locust
Room 003A
Union, MO. 63084

 

(p) 636-583-6361

 

Email Us

hwydept@franklinmo.gov

Administration:

  • Jim Grutsch, Highway Administrator

      email: jgrutsch@franklinmo.gov

  • Michelle Patke, Administrative Manager

      email: mpatke@franklinmo.gov

  • Amy Jackson, Office Assistant

Introduction

The Highway Department is responsible for in excess of 785 miles of road and the associated right-of-ways as well as the 163 bridges and numerous drainage structures throughout Franklin County. Routine and preventative maintenance includes applying gravel to rural roads, asphalt and concrete patching and sealing, roadside ditching, vegetation control, and bridge maintenance and repair. Traffic services provided include street name signing, regulatory signing, and snow and ice control. It is also responsible for 110 trucks and pieces of heavy equipment.

The Highway Department Office is responsible for initiating, monitoring, and completing capital improvement projects related to Franklin County’s transportation network. The projects are funded by a one-half cent sales tax that was approved by voters in 1982.

If you would like to ask a question or report a problem, send us an email.

Shop Locations

East District: 1360 Riverview Drive Union, MO 63084

West District: 4987 Highway ZZ Gerald, MO 63037

Gravel and Asphalt Roads:
  • How do I report a pothole?

    • Please call 636-583-6361

  • How do I get my road paved?

    • Franklin County will not be maintaining or taking over the maintenance of private roads and/or subdivisions.

    • If you have a question about a County-maintained road being paved, please call the office at 636-583-6361.

  • When do you grade the roads?

    • Roads are graded on a rotation basis unless an emergency due to weather conditions arises.
       

Road Information:

 

  • What are the blue street name signs?

    • Blue street signs are for roads that are not maintained by Franklin County, these are privately owned and maintained roads.

    • For information on blue street signs or privately maintained street signs, please call our Planning and Zoning Department at 636-583-6369.

  • How is the right-of-way measured?

    • Most of the county road right-of-ways are measured from the center of the existing road surface. But with more and more surveys and subdivisions being done, the right-of-way is being established by pins and corners and more exactly defined.

  • How do I vacate a road?

    • Contact the County Clerk at 636-583-6355.

 
Road Maintenance:

 

  • Who trims the trees along the road?

    • The County personnel will trim trees within the right-of-way along county roads. We will remove trees that are dead or in danger of falling. We will contract with outside sources if the trees are larger and/or entwined in power lines. 

  • Will the County accept maintenance of my road?

    • Franklin County will not be maintaining or taking over the maintenance of private roads and/or subdivisions.

  • Who removes dead animals?

    • The county has no provisions to dispose of dead animals.  If there is a dead animal blocking a county roadway, please call (636) 583-6361.

  • What if I have trash on my road?

    • Please call 636-583-6361 and county personnel will pick up large items that have been dropped off on the side of the road. (We do not do regular trash pickups) 

  • Is there an "Adopt-A-Road" program along county roads?

    • There is no official sponsored county "Adopt-A-Road" program. 

  • How often are weeds cut and how far back will you cut the weeds?

    • The county begins cutting weeds about April?  Our first cutting will be one pass with our eight (8) brush hogs.  After we have covered all the roads in the County we will begin our second cutting and it will include two passes.  In the fall, we will cut one-half of the county roads back to the right-of-way line.  The next year we do the other half. There are certain areas that may require additional cuttings depending on the weather and the type of weeds.

  • What if I see a stop sign lying down?

    • Please call (636) 583-6361 immediately and give the location.

  • How do I report a tree on the roadway?

    • If during the normal working hours of 8 AM and 4:30 PM (except for holidays), please contact the office at 636-583-6361. For after hours, weekends or holidays, please contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department at 636-583-2567.

  • What if I can't see the stripes on the road?

    • Franklin County has a stripping program that does approximately one-quarter of the county every year.  The County does not stripe chip and seal roads that have been recently resurfaced.

  • Can I park along the County road?

    • For safety concerns parking is discouraged along county roads. It is not illegal unless the vehicle parked is impeding traffic or if a "no parking" sign is present along the right-of-way. (see "No Parking" signs below)

  • Does the County put up "No Parking" signs?

    • The county will put up “no parking” signs in special circumstances.  Please contact the county and we will review the situation and determine if one is needed.  It will take a Commission Order to install that sign.

  • Can I put signs along the road?

    • Political and advertising signs are not allowed within the right-of-way. Any signs to be permanently installed on private property do require a permit from the Planning and Zoning Department.

 
Driveway:
  • Do I need a permit to build a driveway/entrance to my property or modify an existing driveway/entrance from a County Road? 

    • Yes

  • Where do I get an entrance/subdivision permit?

    • Visit the Highway Department at the Government Center

  • How much is a driveway permit?

    • $60.00 (We accept check or exact cash only)

  • Do I need an entrance permit to build a subdivision?

    • You will be required to get an entrance permit when you file for the subdivision.

  • Do I need a permit to work along the road?

    • Any work within the roadway right-of-way requires a permit.  There is a $60 charge for this permit. print a copy here

  • Will the County buy me a new culvert?

    • The homeowner is required to pay for and install their culvert.  

  • Does the County replace driveway culverts?

    • The homeowner is required to purchase and install their own culvert. A permit will be required.  


Bridges:
  • How are load limits set on the County bridges?

    • Every two years MoDOT inspects our bridges and, based on information in the field and calculations, a load limit is set.

  • How is it determined which bridges are going to be replaced?

    • Every two years MoDOT inspects our bridges and rates the bridges by the amount of deterioration.  When a bridge becomes 50% deficient, Federal money is available to replace the bridge.

 
Snow:
  • When do they start plowing the roads?

    • The amount of accumulation and temperature determines start and stopping times.

  • Does the County pre-treat roads?

    • Yes, depending on the projected weather.

  • What chemicals are used on the roads for ice and snow removal?

    • Salt is the main chemical that is used for melting. Cinders are used to provide traction.Calcium Chloride in the liquid form is used to help lower the melting temperature.

  • What are those black things coming out of the back of the truck?

    • Cinders from the Ameren plant.

  • How do I know when they will plow the snow off my road?

    • Roads are cleared in a rotation. Highly traveled roads are cleared first.

  • How can I stop the snow plow from filling my driveway?

    • Driveways are the responsibility of each property owner. 
       

Office:
  • What are your office hours?

    • Our office hours are 8 AM to 4:30 PM.

  • Whom do I call after hours if there is an emergency?

    • If there is a tree or water across the road, please call the sheriff’s department at  636 583 2567.  They will dispatch highway personnel as needed.  If you have any other non emergency concerns, please leave a message at  636 583-6361.
       

Miscellaneous:
  • When can I burn brush?

    • Contact your fire district for guidelines.

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