West Evergreen Extension Officially Open

The West Evergreen Avenue extension west of Effingham is now officially open.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday morning to mark the project's completion.

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY ENGINEER GREG KOESTER)

Effingham County Engineer Greg Koester reminded those gathered that the West Evergreen bottoms was served by a single-lane wooden bridge just 14 years ago.  The bridge was replaced and then Federal and other funds were made available for the reconstruction of the roadway from Outer Belt West to Nazarene Church Road.

There are further plans to reconstruct the stretch of West Evergreen on west to Lake Sara Road.

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN)

Effingham County Board Chairman Jim Niemann noted that the project involved efforts by both Effingham City and Effingham County and said he and Effingham Mayor Merv Gillenwater are working well together, something he said has not always been the case in efforts involving both agencies.

(EFFINGHAM MAYOR MERV GILLENWATER)

Gillenwater said the City's share of the project is small, but said the roadway helps travel in and out of the City for those who work or shop or go to school in Effingham.