Over 30 people attended Friday’s quarterly luncheon sponsored by the Christian County Economic Development Corporation and hosted Friday by People’s Bank and Trust in Taylorville.

Guest speaker was Greg Heckel, Program Development Engineer for the Illinois Department of Transporation.  Heckel outlined the number of miles and bridges I-DOT is responsible for statewide, adding that in Christian County the agency is responsible for some 126 miles of state highways.

Heckel told the gathering that state highways in Taylorville and Pana are in poor shape.

Heckel then shared over half-dozen projects I-DOT is or will be doing between now and the end of next year in Christian County.   This year’s projects include completing the J-turn off U-S Highway 51 in Assumption and bridge replacement on Illinois 29 south of Millersville.

Next year’s I-DOT projects include the reconstruction of Illinois 29 thru Pana, with a price tag of eleven-point-4 million dollars; resurfacing of Illinois 29 thru Taylorville; resurfacing of Lincoln Trail near Taylorville; and work on the Mount Auburn Road.

A proposed project to widen Illinois 29 thru portions of Taylorville to create a left turn lane, has been deferred due to cost.

And, Heckel added extending U-S Highway 51 to 4 lanes from south of Assumption to Illinois Route 16 east of Pana, isn’t on the drawing board at the moment.

Heckel told the group I-DOT is always studying fatal crashes to determine how safety on those roads can be improved.

C-C-E-D-C president Adam Vocks told Regional Radio News he appreciated Heckel’s information on Christian County.

And, Executive Director Matt Hart was also pleased with Friday’s turnout.

Find out more on the Christian County Economic Development Corporation by clicking HERE.