itk
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Posts posted by itk
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My work is taking me to NWA alot recently. An obvious upgrade is needed on the expressway system. If city planners act now, they could reserve land for future highways. I think a grid-type of expressway system would work good. Since there is no "central" city a loop would not work well. This design would help to weave in and out of the whole area.
Something like this, what do you think?
City planners don't reserve land for future highways-- they can plan to their hearts content, but that doesn't mean anything without money. Government agencies (like a state DOT) do... and they can only do that when there's money available. There's very, very limited money to do that right now. The only way to get money to do that is for political action and public support. [off soapbox]
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What is the progress on the 412 bypass?
I haven't lived in Fayetteville for too long, and really haven't been following this project too closely.
It is currently under design. Expect a public hearing over the proposed design most likely late this year.
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Yea, I edited the post seconds after posting saying that I misread his post (well, saw that he was replying to a message higher up...), but the edit isn't here... Oh well, ignore my post
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Just FYI in case anyone is curious once again why the DOT don't build enough highways in Ark (or anywhere else for that matter): http://public.cq.com/docs/cqt/news110-000002496872.html
Capka Says Bush Has a Highway Contingency Funding Plan
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Sounds like road construction will soon start on Hwy 62 between Farmington and Prairie Grove. I believe they'll be widening the road, but I'm not sure by how much. I think they'll also be working on a bypass around Prairie Grove sometime in the near future as well.
I don't know why the reporter that wrote the article for the NWA Times got it wrong-- it will be four lanes with a center turn lane (i.e. 5 lanes) through Farmington all the way to the bridge near Prairie Grove. Plus, if I remember correctly, it will also have bicycle lanes in Farmington.
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In other Fayetteville news, the AHTD wants comments on the future widening of Hwy 265. Mainly they want comments on whether to have a center median making it more of a boulevard or to allow a turn lane from Crossover northward to the city border with Springdale. Not surprisingly many residents who live in that area don't like the idea of a median which would make them have to go farther.
That's not what I heard. The article I read quotes one or two people. That hardly constitutes as "many". (Not to sound like I'm picking on you
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What would really help out would be a frontage road between the Johnson Exit and the 412 exit on the east side of 540.
There basically already is. 48th St.
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Does anyone know if NWA is working togeather to make a RMA now that the new bill is in? I have been wanting to try and help with some of that but I have no idea if a group is already on the topic or who to contact.
Yep... the NWA Council is leading the charge. If there's any organization that you want to contact to find out more info, they would be the place to start. They have a website somewhere... but it's in its very infancy right now. Also, you could try the NWARPC-- they may help.
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NWANEWS article On Possible Tiered Impact Fees
It looks like Fayetteville might give a study on doing tiered impact fees a chance (like we had talked about on this thread). It is sad that we have been presented with such a simplistic plan up front.
I generally agree with Coody on this one.
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I can't believe no one has mentioned the upcoming election over the proposed road impact fees in Fayetteville. Mith must be on vacation!
I'm curious if anyone has an opinion on the matter. I think it's interesting that Fayetteville, being the unique town that it is, is finally recognizing the need for more and wider roads.
There's a lot of people in Fayetteville, and on this board, that don't like that I'm sure. But in the real world, Fayetteville can't just keep doing that and expect to be competitive. People drive cars, people will continue to drive cars, and more people and jobs are moving into Fayetteville. It's not like we're talking about widening an 8-lane freeway. We're talking about widening two-lane roads.
On one hand, Fayetteville, which didn't invest in road widenings for as long as I can remember as a child until very recently, needs to catch up. The fees that I have seen in the papers don't seem as outrageous as critics make them out to be-- residential prices will surely be passed along to the buyers, but the costs to new business don't seem that much. For a 50,000 sq ft commercial/office, for instance, would be about $50,000. Is that going to deter a developer from building an office or retail in Fayetteville??
On the other hand, there is no tiering system for residential units, nor for areas of town (further out, closer in, etc).
The fact is, Fayetteville, in the real world, to continue to attract businesses and thus tax dollars, must build or help fund *wider* roads and highways (4-lane roads). That's reality. The money has to come from somewhere. More money isn't going to come from the feds, or the state, for the foreseeable future. An RMA may or may not help out. Fayetteville has to help themselves.
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Thanks for the info. I saw a couple of the trucks pulled over at Miller Church, so I stopped and asked what was going on. The drivers said they were not sure what the rock will be used for, but it is coming from the Crystal Bridges Museum site.
Huh! I wouldn't have thought that the new Crystal Bridges site would require rock excavation... guess it is built into a hillside? Anyway, gotta put it somewhere.
Whenever construction does start on the Bella Vista Bypass, though, there is going to be a whole heck of a lot of earthwork involved. Probably almost as much as was done for I-540 in certain places. Consequently, there will be a lot of trucks around, so at some point you may be inconvenienced with more trucks around your neighborhood.
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I wonder if sales taxes will be a viable option for funding. If the voters in each first class city and the county areas have to approve a sales tax increase to fund improvements that aren't in their immediate area the chances of it happening are very minimal. There just isn't enough of a regional cohesion for that to happen. It would be great if they would but I can't imagine voters in Siloam Springs approving a tax increase to fund a bypass around Springdale. That's if I understand how the process would work.
The other option of using tolling hopefully will work. The section of the 412 bypass from Tontitown to 71B might have enough traffic to use tolls. I would be glad to pay a buck for easier access to XNA.
That is a valid concern. But that's where some good politicking (sp?) will have to happen. Perhaps instead of selling a sales tax increase in the two county region to the voters, they could try and sell a package of projects spread across the region.
Of course, there is a larger voting base in a town like Springdale, than in a town like Siloam Springs.
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double post
Pretty decent article this morning about RMAs. http://www.nwarktimes.com/adg/News/186058/
The article correctly gives the impression of what an RMA will almost certainly function as in Arkansas. That is, as a seperate authority to levy taxes with voter approval. Previous media articles gave the impression that it would build and operate toll roads. Rather, it could raise millions and millions of dollars for specific project(s) in their region, which then would go to AHTD for them to do their thing.
That's why an agency like AHTD will be just fine to see RMAs-- it could mean expedited projects that would've taken years or decades to get built.
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Calling itk...........([/b]or anyone else who knows, for that matter) -
For the past few days, hundreds of dump trucks (literally) have been rolling down our dirt road, full of rocks. I followed one of them, and it turned off onto private land about a mile from my house. Am I to assume that right-of-ways have been obtained for the Bella Vista Bypass, and construction has begun? We live on Miller Church Road, by the way.
Also, since an interchange at Punkin Hollow Road is no longer in the plans, do you know if we will at least get a paved road up to Miller Church? I would think we would, since Punkin Hollow will be an overpass (right?) What I would really like is for Miller Church Road to be paved as well, but I'm sure that's the county's responsibility, and not likely to happen any time soon.
Hello? I'm here now!
Nope, construction has definitely not begun. Right-of-way appraisal and acquisition will take a bit of time by itself. Design is still undergoing. Construction won't begin until sometime next year.
Typically, I think AHTD will only improve the portion that's within their right-of-way. Otherwise, it will be the responsibility of the county or, now, perhaps the city (if it's in the city limits).
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I read an article today that Commissioner Clark was vetoed off of the commission last night. I don't know exactly what was going on, but sounded like Coody motioned for it because of abusive-like behavior towards some council members. Read About It Here It sounded like my job a little bit. I can't imagine the level of egos that could possibly be dealt with at that level since the council is so responsible for such large decisions for Fayetteville. Of course, my abusers have no idea of what level of stress they cause and are more concerned about getting their way. Their supporters have no understanding of what that person puts others through. I'm guessing that is what might be going on with Clark, Cook, and Jordans' opinions about what happened. Of course it is subjective speculation, which is why I don't write articles for newspapers. Sorry to Clark, Cook, and Jordan for presenting this story with obvious bias.
This is exactly what I was referring to in an earlier post about Coody. It just irks me (a pet peeve of mine), when people in a leadership position, don't resemble qualities that are often associated with proper leadership. Just like the article quoted, if Coody really felt this about Clark, he should have taken care of it at the appropriate time by bringing it up, instead of like this. Oh well.
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I hate to post on top of myself, but there was an interesting, related editorial in the newspaper about descending views on Coody's leadership. Excuse me if it is mute because of many similar editorials. I don't read them so often but should. Hurricane Fran: Coody Sucks
It's anything but mute!
Moot, perhaps! -
I wish I could remember all the details. But I was thinking that I had heard some state agencies weren't supportive of this. That a particular region like NWA could decide to push forward on something that some state agencies wouldn't have supported. Sorry wish I could remember more of the details. This was talked about a month or so ago. I don't think they came right out and said it but I had gotten the impression that the AHTD might be one of the state agencies that didn't like this bill.
I don't speak for AHTD, since I never admitted, and don't admit, to being affiliated or being employed by them. But, IF I did, I imagine AHTD has no opposition to it. It does not reduce their power, or allow the establishment of another agency which may "compete" with them. If anything, they would welcome it. An RMA would be used to help fund projects that would normally not get built for years or decades, because of lack of funding. AHTD has no authority to, for example, raise the state gas tax for funding-- only legislators and the governor can approve that.
An RMA allows the people to levy extra taxes within their region for transportation improvements and/or to levy tolls on a new highway. I'm not exactly sure how the tolling authority portion will work out. Highway tolling varies from state to state, region to region-- sometimes it's a private company, sometimes a DOT, sometimes an RMA.
However, no matter what taxes or tolling or whatever any RMA might do (with authority approval from the voters in the region), the RMA will have to work with AHTD and, in their best interest, be on their good side.
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Did anyone else read this article this morning in the NWATimes: Morale matters: Mayor concerned about staff following proposed change
This is what irks me about Fayetteville, as seen from the article. (1) The fact that the city councilmen are, in whole, nearly disfunctional, (2) the way the city councilmen don't follow their own land use/development/transportation plans, (3) the environment of Fayetteville which discourage other talented and qualified planners/engineers, and (4) the fact that Coody won't do squat, or at least publicly so, to remedy this problem, because IMO he's soft. The problem of the city council not following their own approved policy.
This is why I would never consider working for the City of Fayetteville. I imagine it would be very frustrating at times, slightly frustrating the rest of the time.
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Beebe signed the Regional Transport Bill. This would make it easier for local governments to try to work together and work on major transportation projects. But I've heard some people weren't happy about this. I'm not sure how AHTD feels about it. Maybe I can get itk to comment more about this, just even from his own perspective.
Who in particular is not happy?
This is the RMA legislation that will allow regions to establish RMAs to help fund transportation projects. We'll see how this goes. It will be up to the local leaders to make this happen. In the case of NWA, the NWA Council has been active in this, and may likely take (or support) the lead in creating an RMA for NWA.
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That and just the way things seem to be set up here in Arkansas doesn't seem to be helping Fayetteville either. Unfortunately, there really doesn't seem like much we can do.
I can't believe I would ever say this, but... where are the lawyers? Or maybe the case would be too weak.
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Anyone know if there are plans to put a traffic light at the intersection of Wedington and Steamboat Drive? It seems there are lot of accidents at that particular intersection.
People turning left there sometimes take crazy chances.
Also, the set of traffic lights that are there by the interstate...do they have some sort of coating or filter on them? The lights are weird...the light is very dim until you just
get to the preceding light. Maybe so you don't get the lights mixed up?
I really dislike them though...
I doubt at Steamboat, since it is so close to the interchange, and putting extra signals close to them will further screw up traffic congestion. That area near Harps is a classic case where it just was poorly planned, plain and simple. They SHOULD have allowed a connection between all that and Shiloh and Salem. But they didn't. So, like you say, people have to turn left out there without a signal. Great.
You're right, those lights at the interchange have visors over the signal lenses to prevent confusing people. This is because, again, the lights are too close to each other. In other words, you don't want to show a green light to someone who should have a red light at the signal a few hundred feet up.
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My bad dude, i missed that part, but what the hell do they plan on accomplishing by sending half of the 412 interchange traffic south to the two lane johnson interchange? are they just wanting to the south corridor to be a local thru way to the westside thats strictly residential? The bottle neck at the johnson interchange would be absolutely rediculous. Are they not going to have a vote on whether or not to have an interchange there? Have they decided on a 5 lane or boulevard yet? Personaly id like to see a boulevard until it reaches the interstate then turn into a 5 lane by the ballpark.
The deal is, is the people who live in SW Springdale are worried that an interchange there would add traffic to their neighborhood (to my understanding). Which I can sympathize with. So the admin doesn't have a strong leg to stand on to justify building an interchange there.... yet. When the ballpark goes in, and more development occurs, and traffic gets worse, then they'll likely have better justification for building an interchange.
But I'm not sure what informal agreement was made between the admin and citizens. Traffic will certainly get worse before it gets better at those two interchanges-- the western portion of the 412 bypass won't be built anytime soon, and widening of Main St in Johnson won't happen for several more years. The best way to express your opinion right now on the situation is to write a letter, email, or call your local officials. The only way it would ever come to a "vote", is if there was a bond proposal that required an increase in sales tax (or something like that) to pay for the interchange (and likely other projects in the city).
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Wow, how F***ing retarded can people be, that interchange is needed so damn badly, especially for me, i live in tontitown and i have to drive out to 412 east everyday for work to powell st, then drive back to 540 and either head north or south, and that southern corridor connection would save so much time. These planners amaze me.
Dude, did you read my previous posts? LISTEN. I'll do you a favor. Just 'cause I'm a nice guy.
It's NOT the planners. It's politics. You don't like it? Call the Mayor's office. Write him a letter. Write your councilman.
Planners can plan all they want. Doesn't mean jack squat if politicians c*ckblock it.
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When Dover Kohl did the Downtown Master Plan, narrowing College to three lanes with medians and turn lanes in the center was prescribed. The traffic consultant compared traffic counts for the stretch of 71B from 6th Street to Maple and compared it to the throughput numbers of a pedestrian friendly three-lane and the three lane actually won because turning traffic was better controlled.
BUT... there was a lot of doubt by locals if the concept could be sold to the State no matter what the numbers said. There are conflicting high-level priorities. The city's goal is safety for pedestrians and sense of place; the state's goal move more autos faster.
starting about page 6...
I have seen that. It is not a traffic engineering analysis. It would not be, and frankly was not, accepted by engineering professionals.
The way I understand it, the staff convinced the mayor that it wasn't a hot idea, and it was subsequently abandoned.
Also, the state's goal, as you put it, is a bit misleading. Again, Fay could take responsibility for College Ave-- then they could do almost whatever they wanted. BUT, if they did that, and they "shrank" College, and it was a disaster, guess who gets the heat and risks not getting re-elected? BUT, if the City wanted to do that NOW, they could tell people, or let people think, that it was the big, bad State that wouldn't allow them to do that. Make them the bad guys. That's called smart politics.
But here's whats misleading-- there are plenty of examples of state/US highways in Arkansas that were made more ped friendly in a downtown area-- for example, US Hwy 64 in downtown Fort Smith-- several years ago, they re-did the on-street parking, added landscaping, sidewalks, crosswalks, bulb-outs, new curb line, etc. And that's in AHTD District 4, the same as Fay. West Memphis did the same not too long ago too (US Hwy 70). Hwy 7 in Hot Springs is ped friendly with a sense of place. There are other examples too, mostly in smaller towns...
Moot, perhaps!
Transportation Projects, Roads, Light Rail, etc
in Northwest Arkansas
Posted
I'm not sure, but I know they have been trying to get it designated as I-49... but with the current gap between Pineville and Bella Vista, I'm not what they may sign it as