City Council Approves Several Transportation Improvement Projects

Effingham city council members Tuesday took action on several transportation improvement projects.

The Council awarded the resurfacing of Temple Avenue from Keller Drive, east to Merchant Street. The project will cost about $625,000, higher than what was expected, but City Engineer Luke Thoele thinks changes in the scope of the project will lower the cost.

The Council also awarded replacement of a 200-foot stretch of Four Seasons Drive, south of Jaycee Avenue; awarded the 2021 sidewalk replacement project for $414,000, which is also over the budgeted cost, but portions of the work will be eliminated to get the price under budget; awarded resurfacing projects as follows: The proposed work for Charlotte Street is located between Northwood Drive to Rickleman Avenue. The proposed work for 4th Street is located between Wabash Avenue and the CSX Railroad. The proposed work for Newman Court is located from Maple Street to the Dead End. The proposed work for Flame Court is located from Maple Street to the Dead End. The proposed work for Flamingo Court is located from Maple Street to the Dead End. The proposed work for Fayette Frontage Road is the asphalt only section from Hardees to Roy Schmidt Honda. The proposed work for Front Street is located between Banker Street and Jefferson Avenue. The proposed work for the Cemetery is various locations throughout the Cemetery. The proposed work for the Wastewater Treatment Plant is the “horseshoe” in the middle of the plant, with the price of the work at $555,000; awarded pavement preservation work around town totaling $475,000; but rejected crack and joint sealing work on streets as bids came in well over estimate. 

Also Tuesday, the Council approved a law enforcement mutual aid agreement as proposed by Police Chief Jason McFarland; appointed Julie Clark as a member of the Tourism Advisory Board for a three-year term; and approved a proposal for street maintenance materials.

Several other items were discussed by Council members, with no action taken. One was renewing the contract for use of a billboard just outside St. Louis promoting Effingham, another was purchase of a Christmas light display in the shape of a gingerbread house for the next season, another was a request from Noon Rotarian Amanda McKay for $15,000 again this year as part of the cost of this year's Independence Day fireworks display, one was a fire prevention proposal where other communities' officials would review the City's fire prevention standards; another was the downtown/southtown business area redevelopment program policy; and another item involving the purchase of a new pumper truck for the fire department.