RINCON — The Rincon City Council has cleared the way for some much-needed repaving projects and other street improvements.

The work will funded by a Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) that was overwhelmingly approved Effingham County voters last fall. The one percent tax will be levied for five years and is expected to generate a total of $45 million.

More than $7.5 million is pegged for use in Rincon.  

“First, we want to thank our residents for supporting the funding which is needed to rehabilitate our road system,” City Manager John Klimm said.

In addition to some repaving, Rincon’s plans include sidewalk additions, ditch work, pipe repairs and lift station enhancements.

“We will be implementing a full-scale education program for each of the projects well in advance so that our residents will know what areas to stay away from and how to plan their day (during construction),” Klimm said.

Several projects are currently in the surveying, engineering, design or permitting phase.

“The construction will be (in) May, June, July,” Klimm said. “We’re kind of excited. These are worthwile projects — roads that need attention.”

Early project areas include:

— Seventh Street Phase 3

— well piping repair

— Dressler Ditch

— Keller Lift Station

—  Lockner Avenue at Walthour

— Georgia Avenue, West Ninth Street to Savannah Avenue end

— East Fourth Street, Weisenbaker Road, Middleground Road

— Previous designed sidewalk project

Too see maps of the projects, visit www.effinghamherald.net.