The Marion County Board has hired Alex Kreke as its new county highway engineer, pending IDOT approval. Kreke is currently an engineer with the city of Wentzville, Missouri. Road and Bridge Committee Co-Chair Adam Smith says Kreke is originally from Dietrich and wanted to return to the Southern Illinois area.
“He seems to be really motivated to be back in the area, and he seems like he’s very much interested in learning about the county highway business,” Smith said. “He’s got a lot of experience with city streets, sewers and infrastructure, so he ought to be a great fit for our county.”
Smith explains the approval process for IDOT.
“After he accepted it, IDOT requires a resolution to be passed so he can be eligible to take an IDOT highway engineer test. That could take anywhere from four to eight weeks depending on IDOT. As soon as that happens, they’ll approve him and we can begin the process of getting him settled in.”
Smith says a tentative start date of April 14th has been set for Kreke.
The board approved the appointment of Board Secretary Lori Linder as Acting County Engineer until Kreke begins work. She will be paid $500 a month for being the county’s signing agent on IDOT documents.
The board tabled an amended road use agreement with Alberici on construction of the new solar farm at Hoots Chapel and West Boone Street Extension northwest of Salem.
