Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Held for Heritage Avenue Extension

(EFFINGHAM MAYOR MIKE SCHUTZBACH IS READY TO CUT THE RIBBON TO OFFICIALLY OPEN AN EXTENSION OF HERITAGE AVENUE FROM HENRIETTA STREET TO MEDICAL PARK DRIVE. A NUMBER OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY OFFICIALS AND OTHERS INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT WERE ALSO ON HAND)

Effingham City Council members were among those who braved the cold and wind Friday morning for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Heritage Avenue.

The easterly extension of Heritage stretches from Henrietta Street east to Medical Park Drive.

City Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman said the extension of Heritage has been in the city's plan for many years, back to the days of retired City Engineer Dale Fitzpatrick. Heuerman mentioned the group of businesses that have sprung up in the area and the benefits the street extension will provide for those firms and those who are their customers. He said there is also the possibility of residential development that the extension provides.

Effingham City Engineer Luke Thoele said the project consists of 650 feet of concrete street with curb and gutters, as well as sanitary sewer extensions and storm sewer to drain the street. When the weather permits, sidewalks will be built along the street, along with an entrance to Effingham OB-GYN. 

Thoele thanked a number of people involved in the project, including Kieffer Brothers Construction and Milano and Grunloh Engineers.