Dear Mahatma: To alleviate traffic congestion caused by the reconstruction of the Interstate 30 corridor, have the powers that be considered extending U.S. 67-167 south from its intersection with Interstate 40, building a new bridge over the Arkansas River, and connecting it to the east end of Interstate 630? If this was built first, the new route would greatly reduce traffic on I-30 during construction, then provide a permanent alternate route to downtown. -- Gayle
Dear Gayle: Let's go first to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, then add some thoughts.
ArDot is represented by Danny Straessle, who took time out from salting highways to answer this. In the negative.
This suggestion has been, um, suggested, he said, but found to be unfeasible. Mostly because of the cost of buying rights of way while displacing numerous residents and businesses. One of the advantages of building a new I-30 bridge, he said, is that almost no right-of-way purchase is necessary.
Now, our thoughts.
The cost and time required to build a new bridge over the Arkansas River would be stupendous. Some folks previously proposed a new bridge in the vicinity of Little Rock's State Street, or around the corporate offices of Dillard's on Cantrell Road. To do the studies, environmental impact statements, public hearings and design would take more years than a lot of us have left on this mortal coil. Such a time span would apply, as well, to a new U.S. 67-167 bridge.
To amplify the point, we once asked in jest if it were possible to operate a ferry while the Broadway Bridge was being rebuilt. We made this joke to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Ha! So said the Corps. Here is the permit process, and see you in a couple of years when you get the application finished.
Dear Mahatma: You wrote last week that the highway department's policy will be to keep three lanes open in each direction during peak traffic hours while the I-30 bridge is being built. Expect also temporary lane closures and temporary detours. Yes, but also expect more accidents and road rage. People will come to acquire voodoo dolls of the members of the Highway Commission. -- Legal Aid
Dear Legal: We went to the Internet and found numerous businesses that sell authentic voodoo dolls, both for revenge and love.
ArDot posits that commuters will be better off in the long run with a new bridge featuring more lanes and many safety improvements.
The list of perceived benefits is long, but two caught our eye.
First is that entrance and exit ramps will be longer. Think about the westbound Cantrell Road off-ramp. It's shorter than Spud Webb.
Second is that frontage roads in North Little Rock will become one way. If this makes traffic move as well as it does on Warden and Landers roads along U.S. 67-167, that would be a beautiful thing.
Onward! We think.
fjfellone@gmail.com
Metro on 01/20/2018