Cross more days off for bridge job
Dear Mahatma: In Cleburne County on Arkansas 25 near Arkansas 107 there is a very narrow, dangerous bridge that is about 100 years old. RVs going to Heber Springs cross it. Replacement work was begun then stopped. How do we look up the status of projects?
— Mucho Thanks
Dear Mucho: We quizzed Ellen Coulter, media communications manager at the Arkansas Department of Transportation. (Great title. During our many years at the newspaper, we were known as “Hey, you!”)
She said that cold, wet weather can stop bridge and dirt work. After which work picks up as the days get warmer and drier.
The contractor on this project, she said, has used 61.8% of the contract time, with 49.6% of the work completed. That is, 198 working days of the 320 days in the contract. ARDOT expects the project to be completed by fall of 2024.
Whence comes other information about any project? Coulter recommended IDrivearkansas.com.
In fact, the website — click on the construction button — says that West Plains Bridge and Grading LLC started work in November 2021, with completion expected late 2024. Contract amount is $4.6 million.
Coulter also said a citizen is welcome to call their ARDOT district office. Or submit a question via the customer service portal called “Ask ARDOT,” which can be found on ardot.gov.
The district at hand is
5, at Batesville. The district engineer is Bruce Street. He can be reached at bruce. street@ardot.gov, or (870) 251-2374.
Dear Mahatma: What’s up with the lighted signs on the Interstate 430 bridge across the Arkansas River, indicating whether traffic is allowed in the shoulder (or far right lane). — Randal
Dear Randal: This thing is known as a managed lane system. The purpose is to open a part-time lane during morning and evening rush hour. Thus accommodating traffic that, to us, seems mostly to be from Maumelle to west Little Rock and reverse.
Maumelle, for those who came in late, has a population of about 19,000. In the 2000 census, it had a population of about 10,000.
If there is a green arrow, use that lane. If there is a red X, don’t. When the lane is closed it acts as a shoulder.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation monitors traffic on the bridge 24/7 and can adjust the lanes as needed.
Greetings Oh Great Traffic Pooh Bah: Long time reader (17 years), first time writer. Your column is the first one I read every Saturday. I recently saw maybe the best vanity plate I’ve seen in a long time: “CLM DWN.” Great advice to the majority of drivers, myself included.
— Mike in Sherwood
Dear Mike: Most humble thanks.
We have actually used this license plate, but are happy to use it again for the reason you state. She Who Must Be Obeyed enjoys watching the hyperactive run red lights, only to get stopped at the next red light, a couple of blocks away.
Enjoys might not be the right word. Aggravated works better.
Calm down, indeed.