GRIDLOCK GURU : Work helps, but 412 still no fast lane
Posted on Friday, July 25, 2008
The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, except when it comes to U. S. 412 across north Arkansas.
In fact, most trips from Northwest Arkansas to northeast Arkansas (think Paragould ) are completed faster — for now — by going south on Interstate 540, then taking I-40 east.
U. S. 412 is getting better with improvement projects, and The Guru’s got an update on one in Madison County.
It’s not enough yet to pick U. S. 412 over the interstates, but it’ll improve the drive for those who favor the northern route.
Question: “How about an update on the status and estimated completion dates for some of the numerous construction projects in Northwest Arkansas ?” writes Carl French of Springdale.
Answer: “Numerous” sounds like work. How about two ?
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department spent $ 21. 6 million to widen a 5. 7-mile section of U. S. 412 around Hindsville.
The project stayed on the same schedule spelled out when Keiwit Southern Co. of Omaha, Neb., was hired in July 2006. The company promised to have the $ 21. 5 million project done by mid-2008.
Highway Department spokesman Randy Ort said the two westbound lanes will be open later this month and stay open. Eastbound cars will be limited to one lane until fall.
One other update: Gregg Avenue in Fayetteville. The paving and striping is done, and crews are working on drainage outlets.
Every aspect of the $ 6. 5 million road widening should be done this month, Ort said.
Q: “When is the Don Tyson Parkway going to be finished ?” writes Norma Tomboulian of Springdale. “And when will there be a traffic light at the parkway and U. S. 71 Business ?” A: OK, three updates, but that’s it.
Signal poles started going up this week where the parkway meets U. S. 71 B.
A contractor will begin paving the parkway between Turner Street and 71 B next week, said Tom Webb, a manager with Construction Dynamics Group, the company overseeing the city project. Paving near the parkway’s intersection with Carley Road also will take place.
It will be possible to go from Turner Street to 48 th Street on the parkway by early September, Webb said.
Q: “The ‘Leaning Trees of Wagon Wheel Road’ (sounds like a bad novel ) have been cut down,” writes Marilu Walla of Lowell. “At least the ones that I was concerned about, the dead ones. I guess you have proved the power of the pen.” A: The Guru proved nothing, although he wrote about the leaning trees on April 11.
The city didn’t touch the trees on Wagon Wheel between Zion Road and Zigler Road, said Sam Goade, the city’s public works director.
“We cleared some trees out of Wagon Wheel Road after one of the many high wind / storm events earlier this year, but I doubt that it was these particular trees referenced by Marilu,” Goade wrote in an e-mail. “Maybe the owners decided to cut them down.” Robert J. Smith, aka The Guru, writes on traffic issues in Northwest Arkansas each Friday. He can be reached at gridlockguru@arkan sasonline. com or www. nwanews. com / gridlockguru.
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