Effingham council backs $17.26 million federal BUILD grant for Ford Avenue connector and roundabout

The Effingham City Council voted to adopt Resolution No. 142026 to show local support for a federal BUILD grant application that would fund the Ford Avenue connector and a roundabout at Rickleman and Fourth Street.

City Engineer Taylor, presenting the application to the council, said the project estimate is $17,260,800 and that about 80% of that—if the grant is awarded—would come from federal BUILD funds, leaving a local match of roughly $3,450,000 the city plans to pay from motor fuel tax funds. "This is a swinging for the fences effort to build the Ford Avenue connector and the Rickleman at 4th Street intersection, the roundabout," Taylor said during the presentation.

Council members discussed the project briefly and then voted to adopt the resolution showing the city’s support so the application can be submitted. The vote to adopt the resolution was moved and seconded on the record and carried by voice vote.

The council’s endorsement is described in the presentation as a prerequisite for the application; staff said the support is a procedural box to check to enter the competitive federal process. The resolution itself does not obligate the city to the full local match beyond what was outlined in the application materials; staff indicated the planned local share would come from motor fuel tax revenues.

Next steps: staff will include the council’s resolution with the BUILD application. If the federal award is made, council would still be asked to address funding details and associated contract actions related to design and construction in subsequent meetings.