http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/11/28/america-the-bridge Comments On: Villines wants star-spangled Broadway Bridge by David Koon en-us Copyright 2013 Arkansas Times. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, Arkansas Times readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact Arkansas Times. robert@arktimes.com (Arkansas Times Webmaster) Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:01 -0500 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:00:00 -0500 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Mr. Denton was quoted in today’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette saying, “I am adamantly opposed to the red, white and blue color of the bridge.” Mr. Denton represents the Heights District 2 on the Quorum Court. Though considered a liberal area of Little Rock, many believe that the citizens that live in the Heights would adamantly support our veterans. Many citizens have been vocal on social media sites in opposition to the bridge. For instance, the Forbidden Hillcrest Facebook page had more than 200 comments in regards to the bridge; most were in opposition. A student from Estem charter school, located downtown near the bridge, asked to address the court last night and suggested that instead of using the $20 Million to create a memorial to veterans, why don’t we do something for the veterans themselves?
Posted by SorvilloSenate Campaign]]> Fri, 01 Feb 2013 14:50:27 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Connie Fortner]]> Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:26:06 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Adam Faucett]]> Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:48:42 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Barbara Williams]]> Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:38:06 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Cooter Brown]]> Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:11:22 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Vincent Schlereth]]> Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:08:47 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Lori Llewellyn]]> Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:34:11 -0600 Arkansas Times
People don't care how a bridge looks. All we care about is how many lanes it has, how long traffic is backed up at rush-hour, and how many bridges there are between North Little Rock and Little Rock. There must be a million other things the county could do with $20 million to improve roads and bridges, such as:

* saving the money for the county's share of the usual cost overruns on the new bridge.

* adding extra lanes for cars or the downtown trolley and rerouting the trolley to use the Main Street bridge going into Argenta and then past the Dickey-Stevens Ball Park and across the Broadway Bridge into Little Rock at the Robinson Center.

* using the funds as a down-payment on either a fourth downtown bridge at midtown or moving the old Broadway Bridge to near Pike Avenue in North Little Rock.

* saving the funds for other emergency work that comes up in the future.

* splitting the cost with the cities to finally connect Jacksonville and Sherwood with one or two highway access roads.

* splitting the cost with Sherwood and Jacksonville on two parallel two-lane roads without bridges to connect U.S. 67/167 with Arkansas Hwy. 107 near Gravel Ridge if the North Belt isn't going to be built.

* loaning Jacksonville money to build exits and on-ramps at Coffelt Crossing until the state coughs up the money for an overpass and reimburses Jacksonville.

* splitting the cost with Little Rock's city government on a new north-south four-lane road to allow people living outside the city limits in far west Little Rock to get from Hwy. 10 to Hwy. 5 near the Bryant-Benton area without having to back-track to Interstate 430.

* and, finally, loaning the money to the cities for regional projects that benefit county and city residents, such as widening and improving roads that are jammed with rural and suburban residents headed to a freeway at rush-hour.

If the Quorum Court and Villinese ever come to their senses, they ought to post this issue and options on their website or Facebook page, if they have one, and listen to the people. If not, then it's time to start a campaign to recall some public officials!



Jacksonville
Posted by ok72076]]> Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:45:41 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Albert Roberts]]> Sun, 09 Dec 2012 09:17:56 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by stopthebs]]> Sat, 01 Dec 2012 11:01:40 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Saudiwoof]]> Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:45:45 -0600 Arkansas Times
I have a great deal of respect for Judge Villines. I'm grateful for the Big Dam Bridge and it's little brother out west. Bringing those to our town was truly visionary and I appreciate the courage it took to spend those funds in that manner. They have been a wonderful addition to our region. But the light thing was only ok for the first one. The little bridge that leads to a wonderful wilderness outdoor park doesn't need those bright colored lights that look like something that the State Fair left behind.

And, for heaven's sake, don't bring that garish, ridiculous look downtown. I looked at the video olered posted. It only makes me more concerned that this will come to reality.

Mayor Stodola, please get off of this bandwagon. I love this city. Let's not make ourselves a laughingstock to the rest of the country.
Posted by Perplexed]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 22:48:45 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Tim Crane]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:41:56 -0600 Arkansas Times

Posted by Kandrick Fluker]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:11:33 -0600 Arkansas Times
Ron Rizardi is correct.

The North Little Rock side connection is idiotic and one big a$$ commuter black hole.

Maybe the street layout was optimum 50 or 80 years ago but it does not handle current needs much less 50 or 80 years in the future needs.

Would you pick a replacement hip joint because it matches the shoes you are wearing or pick one that works?

Bridges or hip joints are hell to replace or correct after they are installed.

Judge Buddy should be commended in throwing out ideas to get participation if that is his aim. I applaud Judge Buddy for his vision for parks/bridges but I am horribly disappointed in his lack of defense of our drinking water in Lake Maumelle.

Back to the bridge.

First, it will not collapse for the foreseeable future so quit rushing such a long term affecting piece of infrastructure. The economic growth of the area is at stake.

Do a comprehensive study of current and future traffic needs IN THE AREA! Not just the bridge. You must get to the bridge before you can use it! Then you must exit the area.

Then with needs and use in mind, make it beautiful.
Posted by Citizen1]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 07:38:08 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by the outlier]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 06:25:57 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Howard Roark]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 05:50:21 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by namaste]]> Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:11:42 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Dee Blakley]]> Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:24:47 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by mrprincipal07]]> Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:24:25 -0600 Arkansas Times
But on a more serious note, the bridge needs segregated, safe and convenient accommodations on both sides of the bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. Otherwise, I'll be exercising my freedom of choice in riding a bicycle on the road instead.

Specifically, just accommodating bicycle travel on one side and expecting both North and South bound bicycles to use it then have to transition back to the road at the intersections at each end is not safe, not convenient and not going to work for me - personally.
Posted by Ron Rizzardi]]> Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:22:18 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by plainjim]]> Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:18:29 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by spunkrat]]> Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:34:43 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Hackett]]> Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:24:25 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Arkansas Guy]]> Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:10:33 -0600 Arkansas Times