Monroe engineer department to benefit from new addition
By BETTY J. POKAS, Times Leader Area EditorArticle Photos
MORE SPACE than ever before will be possible for the Monroe County Engineer's Department because of an addition being constructed at the county garage.
County Engineer Lonnie Tustin said the garage portion of the large addition is 54 by 90 while the front portion measures 30 by 48.
He said it is adjacent to the present county garage located about a half mile from Woodsfield on Moore Ridge. It is near the industrial park and Monroe County Airport.
Progress is being made on the addition, which costs approximately $600,000, and it is expected to be completed in about a month. Hoon Construction of Athens constructed the metal building, and contracts were awarded for other parts of the structure.
Tustin said planning for the building began in April of last year with construction beginning around the first part of June.
Explaining the need for the addition, the county engineer said the department is out of space in the current building so trucks and different types of equipment are parked outside. The new structure will allow more equipment to be under roof.
In addition to providing for the storage of equipment, the new portion of the county garage will have space for the engineer's office.
A sign shop will be located in the top of the garage area with an employees' lunchroom underneath.
The county engineer said the lunchroom currently is in the mechanics' area so the move to the new structure will allow more room for the mechanics' area.
Tustin wasn't sure when the present county garage was constructed. He has served as county engineer since July of 1999, and he said the present building was constructed long before that.
Pokas can be reached at timesleader@timesleaderonline.com.
