NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

City to open Phase II of Outer Belt West Project

Release date: 7/14/09

A key section of roadway that will provide an alternative route from the north side of Effingham to the south side of Effingham will open to motorists in July.

City officials and community members participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony July 14 for the second  phase of the Outer Belt West Project, with the roadway expected to open to traffic in the upcoming weeks.  The second phase of Outer Belt West, which will connect Evergreen Avenue to Fayette Avenue, is part of a four-phase project designed to alleviate traffic congestion and to open up land for economic development.

In 2004, the city completed the first section of Outer Belt West, which connects West Evergreen Avenue to Mid America Avenue on the north side of the city. This second phase of the project connects the existing leg of  the roadway to Fayette Avenue.  The City recently broke ground on the third phase of the project, which will connect Fayette Avenue to U.S. 40 and is expected to open in the fall of 2010.  Planning continues for the fourth phase of the project, which will connect the most northern section of Outer Belt West to Ford Avenue, but a completion date has not been announced at this time.

Although the alternative route will reduce traffic congestion for motorists, the benefits are much greater, according to city officials.  The roadway also provides economic development opportunities in the city by opening several acres of land for development.

“My hope is that the completion of Outer Belt West will propel the business community of the City of Effingham into prosperity and will serve as an economic development tool for better things to come,” said Mayor Lange.

Businesses that are currently located on the Outer Belt West are Firefly Grill, Interstate Truck Repair, and The Rosebud Theatre.