City officials, contractors, engineers, and representatives from Beck’s Hybrids gathered to officially open Pike Avenue Wednesday morning after around two years of construction. Pike Avenue runs out to Beck’s Hybrids past the Cross at the Crossroads. The road’s condition had been gradually deteriorating over time and was riddled with potholes. Effingham City Administrator Jim Arndt said that the city was waiting for a commercial partner to help develop area and Beck’s Hybrids ended up being that partner.
The project cost 2.5 million dollars and drew funding from multiple sources including the city, multiple IDOT grants, a Department of Commerce grant, and private funding from Beck’s. Two city council administrations also worked on the project. Jim Zimmer, a representative from Beck’s, said that with the completion of their facility, and the new roadway, the company was proud of the Effingham site.
In addition to the paving, the project also included water and sewer lines. According to Arndt, the goal is to bring even more industrial development to the area in the future.