City's Railroad "Quiet Zone" to be Implemented Later This Month

Effingham City Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman told the City Council Tuesday evening that the city's railroad "quiet zone" will go into effect on July 28.

The quiet zone will extend along the Canadian National Railroad from Rickelman to Jefferson Avenues. Northbound and southbound trains traveling through that area will not be sounding their horns in that area. An exception would be in the case of an emergency.

The quiet zone is the reason for the installation of the barriers preventing motorists from crossing into the oncoming lane to go around the crossing gates in an attempt to "beat a train". Additional signage indicating to motorists that they are traveling through a quiet zone will be installed.

The project has been years in coming to fruition. Heuerman said studies show that crossings are safer taking these steps than having the trains sound their horns. He said those living and working in the north part of town and in portions of the downtown area will benefit from the project. 

Heuerman was quick to note that the trains will still sound their horn on the Canadian National tracks south of Jefferson, and there will be no quiet zone yet on the CSX tracks east and west through town.

Council members heard from Enterprise Zone Specialist Sasha Althoff on a request by Stevens Industries for an extension of the Effingham City/County Enterprise Zone. The area to be added involves Stevens' property south across Route 40 from the main plant on the west side of Teutopolis and west of the Teutopolis High School baseball diamond. 

Stevens is looking at a $12 million project to add up to 75,000 square feet of manufacturing and distribution space. The project would create 15 jobs. The expansion of the Enterprise Zone would also need the approval of the Effingham County Board, the Teutopolis Village Board, and the State Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The Council gave informal approval to a turn lane on eastbound Wernsing Avenue at Raney Street; as well as the acquisition of property needed for the East Evergreen Avenue improvement project.

Council members informally agreed to four Downtown/Southtown Rehabitation Program projects. Those involve the building just north of the Unit 40 administrative offices on South Banker for Brandt Investments, work on the Global Technical Systems building at 302 East Section, work on the front of DJ's Party Supply at 1404 South Banker, and work on Chandra Niemerg's building at the train depot on National Avenue.

The Council also heard that a closing is expected on July 12 on the vacant service station on South Banker; and that bids are to be opened July 13 on storm sewer and street improvements in Rollin Hills Subdivision, as well as resurfacing and water main looping on Outer Belt West. The street work will extend south from Evergreen Avenue to the Kenworth dealership.

Economic Development Director Todd Hull reported that he and Althoff accompanied Flex-N-Gate to Lake Land College to the Center for Business and Industry. The Center will help train workers who will be employed by Flex-N-Gate. City Commissioner Larry Micenheimer complimented crews on the Temple Avenue resurfacing project, and City Engineer Luke Thoele reported that pavement preservation work will begin next week throughout the city to keep the streets involved intact for a longer period of time without the need to reconstruct the streets.

The Council also approved Effingham High School's Homecoming Parade, which is set for Wednesday, October 6.