itk

In LR people are making runs on stores for supplies, food, what nots, because of predicted freezing rain in the area. It was all they were talking about on the talk radio shows... fortunately, I'm back up here in Fayetteville for the weekend. At about 6 pm when I got to Ozark, it went from humid and maybe 60's to very cold in a hurry. Like hitting a wall of cold air.

Yes, keep us informed Mith242, I would be interested in hearing about it. BTW, what do they mean by a "squareback"? Plus, hearing talks of traffic circles is not good-- there is a reason why traffic circles aren't built anymore (except for local roads for aesthetic reasons), but roundabouts are. Also, concerns about widening roads lead to more problems? Sounds like the typical schpeel, playing up to the crowd-- what sort of modern city (think of all the nice ones, well planned ones) doesn't have 4 lane arterials? Now going to 6 lanes is another matter-- there they could have valid concerns. But give me a break. Being an engineer, and seeing Dover Kohl's previous works, makes me a little worried about Fayetteville. It's one thing to dream, another to implement in reality... but that's what makes Fayetteville special I guess.

The snow is starting to totally melt away already in LR... it was good while it lasted I suppose! Yeah, I remember Christmas 04 where NWA was supposed to get lots of snow... and got harldy anything. LR wasn't supposed to get anything... then they got lots of snow. I remember as a kid in Fayetteville you could always count on at least one good 6-12 in snow storm per season... not anymore I guess.

It's snowing like crazy in LR-- probably about an inch on the ground right now, not sticking to the roads though (not yet anyway)... about time!

Spingdale Renaissance... not somehting you hear everyday!!!

I would've guessed HAr-Ber too but according to this news article it's near 48th on Sunset: http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2005/09/...1szplancomm.txt Of course there's two 48th St intersections (one on either end of I-540), so I'm not sure exactly where that is.

#13 itk, Little Rock and Fayetteville (mostly LR though)

Here are some more: link to webcam in Pinnacle Hills area (on top of Embassy Suites): http://www.killco.com/projects/showdetail/rec_id/162 brand new aerial photos of Pinnacle Hills Promenade, Shoppes: http://www.rogersgis.com/neighborhoodMapper.htm proposed Park West mixed-use development in NW Fayetteville: http://www.paradigmdevelopment.biz/Park%20West.htm

Zero Mtn. Which really isn't much of a mountain, but probably just as locally famous as Mt Seqouyah. (it's west of the NWArk Mall)

Holy cow I didn't see that article... thanks for mentioning that. I can't believe that wasn't brought to my attention-- not that that was a surprise, really, knowing Fayetteville. In the crazy-insano world that is Fayetteville politics, they are really going to try to pursue converting parts of 71B to two-lanes a la Dover Kohl & Associates study. AHTD will never, ever, allow that, and Fayetteville knows it. Out of all the cities in Ark, Fayetteville is by far the wackiest. And I grew up in Fayetteville... sigh.

If I'm not mistaken, Springdale has done that (will see the frutition of that soon with their 'E-W Corridors'), I think Rogers is trying that and so is Fayetteville.

I read about that too. That's too bad given the development in the area-- whenever the new hospital opens, Shoppes, and the new Promenade, traffic will be nasty, especially before the Perry Rd interchange gets built (and the 45th St connection behind the new Home Depot). I heard the Pinnacle Hills developers are a bit concerned that the resultant traffic jams might hurt business when Promenade opens. With good reason. Someone mentioned to me that a similar situation happened at McCain/Hwy 67/167 area in NLR when McCain mall opened a number of years back (before my time).

I think you're right-- tolls are going to happen in NWA. If all goes according to plan, I think Bella Vista might be the first toll in Ark. The Bella Vista bypass toll study is being updated as we speak and should be completed this spring; the final design is being done as well. I think ROW/utility work is about to begin. I-540 is pretty congested, but still isn't nearly as bad as big city freeways. However, after more interchanges get improved, as the area grows, and as more developements along I-540 attract more people, it will get worse. The main problems now are really at the interchanges. Unless money falls out of the sky, what will likely happen is that pieces of I-540 will get widened to 6 lns (instead of all at once) along with major interchange improvements until it is 6 lns, then later 8 lns. Fortunately for NWA, almost all of the necessary ROW for main lane widening is already there, so the cost to widen 540 is relatively inexpensive (compared to big city freeway widening projects). Agreed on your third point. NWA planners are working on this problem right now... in fact I was in a working group meeting yesterday working on this very issue for NWA. We all really, and I mean really, recognize this particular issue needs to be addressed now. The difficult part is working with all these seperate jurisdictions... all with their own wants, needs, and agendas. Fortunately, they have been generally receptive and agreeable (I'm not involved in that entire process), so as long as people/politicians/AHTD/etc. keep pushing the issue (i.e., the need for better arterial and network connectivity), the local MPO and the local jurisdictions will come to agreements I think for some of these major arterial corridors hopefully. I think that falls into the category of 'good planning', which requires lots of time and effort, and fortunately the MPO up here recognizes that is working on it now.

LOL... Trust me, the "guys" doing the planning for NWA aren't stalling for all the tea in China. The bottom line is $$$. AHTD knows there is a huge funding shortfall for transportation needs in the area. The same thing is happening to all (or almost all) DOT's across the country-- not enough $$$. The gas tax funding source strategy is being outdated in a hurry, and everyone knows it. AHTD is looking hard at different funding sources/strategies... I'm sure you all still remember what happened at the ballots early last Dec. So keep in mind that when it comes to funding, politics get heavily involved. Fortunately, cities in NWA have been proactive and receptive to unique funding strategies, particularly partnering with AHTD to fastrack some projects that they consider priorities. Also keep in mind that AHTD has a lawful obligation to spend taxpayer money wisely... sometimes that gets tested. For example, are you familiar with Horsebarn/Pinnacle Pkwy in Rogers? Well, it was let again this Jan... and all bids were rejected again. (I'm sort of surprised the local media didn't get wind of that.) It's my understanding that unnacceptably high bids (I think especially for smaller jobs) are happening frequently in NWA, since contractors aren't necessarily short of work these days. Combine that with skyrocketing ROW costs, higher gas prices, higher steel prices... well, I think you get the picture. The more expensive projects get, the less money there is for other projects.

Interesting stuff. First off nice forum here-- I've lurked on and off before, these are great discussions going on and I think I can make meaningful contributions. I wish I would have seen this thread earlier. Now to this particular post (which expresses similar frustrations to just about anyone else living in NWA). I understand your frustration, and believe you me just about everything is being done to get these projects live and running. AHTD knows NWA has immense transportation needs that cannot be addressed soon enough. The example you give about the 412 bypass is understandable-- fortunately, once the Record of Decision (or ROD) is finalized by FHWA, official design work and ROW/utility work can (and will, trust me) begin immediately. Especially considering how ROW costs are just going through the roof.