New Bypass from DMH/MHS to 278 to Barkada Discussed by City Council
July 23rd, 2013 by Sarah Spencer
The City Council also discussed, at their recent special called meeting, new road construction to alleviate traffic congestion in the areas between Drew Memorial Hospital and Barkada Road. The City had applied for a $1 million road improvement grant from the federal government through the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.
That grant program has been discontinued, but because the City had already applied, they will continue to be eligible for the grant. Project #1 would expand the road between Drew Memorial Hospital to Highway 278 West. Project #2 would construct a road from Highway 278 West, north to Barkada Road. Project #1 would cost a total of approximately $3.5-$4.0 million. Project #2 would cost approximately $2.0-$2.5 million. The City would have to have their part of the money before they could qualify for the AHTD grant. The Mayor and Council discussed options for raising money for the project, including issuing bonds, which the City has used as a source of funding for projects in the past. After some discussion, the Council decided to place this on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled Council meeting.
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I support this completely, now some people may not understand but when it comes to critical transport times for the sick or injured, if it is before school let’s in or out it is almost impossible to gain access to the hospital. Another point with is with the future completion of I-530 coming to US 278 west access to little rock, pine bluff or any healthcare facility north of here would be so much faster. So this is just two positive supports from a local emergency responder thinking in the publics best interest.
Would be a lot better to go to. Hwy 35 because barkada rd will have to be. Widen. For a delivery driver to the hospital
As a property owner along the route I honestly could care less if they build it or not. The question I have is can you do a real tragic study of the traffic patterns to the schools. I agree with paramedic but I always question the lack of use of Main Street to Jordan drive vs some other routes.
If for no other reason, we need another outlet in the event a tornado should hit this area.
It’s about time!
The impact I have seen working here for about the past 10 years is that when school is beginning in the morning both sides of the school, Jordan Drive and Old Warren are very difficult to travel, same as when school lets out in the afternoons. It would be very helpful if there were at least two more routes out from the school, hospital area.
There will be no support from the business community. Traffic count is one of the things a business looks at when considering a location. Take the traffic away and the businesses go away.