County Engineer Talks Roads w/Noon Rotary

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY ENGINEER GREG KOESTER AND NOON ROTARY WEEKLY PROGRAM CHAIRMAN STEVE RAYMOND)

Effingham County Engineer Greg Koester shared about transportation matters with the Effingham Noon Rotary Club on January 10.

Koester is a St. Anthony High School native who returned to the county about 20 years ago to succeed Jack Johnson as County Engineer. Koester said he was considering whether to open a private consulting firm before learning of the County Engineer position.

Koester said the biggest project undertaken under his watch is the reconstruction of West Evergreen Avenue from Outer Belt West to Nazarene Church Road. He said land acquisition is underway for a one-mile additional stretch of Evergreen from Nazarene Church Road to Lake Sara Road.

Koester also shared that work is forecast to improve Moccasin Road from Lake Sara Road, west, with actual construction to take place as funds become available.

As to questions about the "missing mile" of roadway envisioned connecting East Evergreen Avenue in Effingham with West Water Street in Teutopolis, Koester said that is a project involving the City and the Village of Teutopolis. He said, "they don't need another agency involved in the project."

Koester said the County undertakes about three bridge replacement projects each year. He also shared about cooperation between the County and City as well as the townships in the county on various projects.

Steve Raymond served as Noon Rotary weekly program chairman.

Noon Rotarians also welcomed a new member. Kurt Roberts is principal of Effingham High School. Roberts is seen with his sponsor, Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan and Noon Rotary Immediate Past President Amanda McKay.

(FROM LEFT, KURT ROBERTS, AMANDA McKAY AND MARK DOAN)