The mission of the Engineering Division is to oversee the County's transportation and engineering needs while assisting in the maintenance of the County's infrastructure with sound engineering solutions in order to promote safe and efficient infrastructure.

Engineering Division Sections

Traffic Section:

Traffic Operations installs, inspects and maintains traffic signals; signs traffic calming measures; and also identifies, plans, designs and oversees construction of safety and capacity improvements, such as turn lanes, median modifications, sidewalk improvements.  These improvements are multi-scale projects that will enhance traffic flow and promote safety.  Traffic Operations also issues Traffic Calming Packages to citizens who request to have traffic calming measures (e.g. speed humps) installed. The request is investigated to see if the area meets the requirements to have the traffic calming measures installed.  

Roadway and Bridge Inspection Management oversee consultants in the study, design and permitting of capital improvements on major roadway projects. The process begins with consultant selection and proceeds through design and planning stages. It is the responsibility of this section to coordinate with a variety of agencies to ensure compliance with all applicable governmental regulations.

Road Construction/CEI has seasoned inspectors, skilled in contract administration, whose job it is to make certain that all Transportation Section capital projects are constructed in conformance with approved plans and specifications, whether it be roadway, sidewalk, or traffic signals. The team's focus is in the oversight of contractors and consultants to ensure that they provide quality construction that is on schedule and within budget.

Rights-Of-Way/Easements Section:

The County Right-Of-Way Agent is responsible for preparing easements, permissions and obtaining signatures, for drainage and road projects. New easements are recorded at the Register of Deeds office.

The Right-of-Way sections maintains the following databases for Richland County:

1. Roads and Subdivisions owned by the County
2. Drainage easements obtained by the County
3. Encroachment permits issued by the County

Survey Section:

The County survey crew primarily supports the Public Works Department as well as other County Departments with land-related and drainage issues through document research and on-site surveys. 

The survey crew is usually involved with the following work:

1. Research and surveys for the design and correction of storm drainage problems
2. Survey of County properties as requested
3. Consultation with various departments concerning land issues
4. Construction staking for County projects
5. As-built surveys of projects installed by County crews