Arkansas Blog

Sheez. Springdale cannot even score $20 mill for an Interstate Highway connection to complete
an East-West corridor, the first of it's kind for the city.

The Armani Suit Club up in Benton County wants us to believe that keeping the ineffectual
Rep. Boozman in office means we must have Regional Mobility Authority to raise LOCAL taxes of $1.2 Bn, that's right Ark Travelers , One Billion, Two Hundred Millions dolars! for highway projects. When that comes up for a vote I sense a resounding NO!

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Oh goody, another freeway. I want light rail!!!!

Yeah, hopefully the massive bailout passed today will mean a delay in new highway projects like this. It sure would be cheaper to build some bike/pedestrian trails which might actually do something about congestion in the long term and help address some of our nation's major health issues.

JohnnieC, how the heck is a bike/pedestrian trail going to get someone from Sherwood to Conway for work at that new HP facility? And how will it get a FedEx truck through Arkansas to Memphis without clogging up the North Interchange?

BTW, eL, this didn't come with any money, just approval to place it here one day. The money was "in" the 1991 bond proposal the people voted on for highways but Dan Flowers and his Mob spent it other places already.

Theodosius, this doesn't even give approval to place it here one day, much less provide any funding. Catch these words at the bottom of the map:
PRELIMINARY
SUBJECT TO REVISION

Theo,
Not sure where I said it would get someone from Sherwood to Conway, but in theory, if a bike trail existed between those two towns, someone in really good shape could bike it in a little over an hour. Why the heck should someone live in Sherwood if they have a job in Conway? Why should people live in Conway, Greenbrier, Benton etc when they have jobs in Little Rock or more importantly, why should our tax dollars go towards shortening their commutes when so little is going toward other forms of transportation in Central Arkansas?

Theodosius

Riding a bicycle is not an all or nothing thing. Thinking that you have to ride a bicycle between Cabot and Sherwood to get to work is limited thinking. I live within 5 miles of many business and as such save nearly 3000 miles a year on my car by just using a bicycle a couple times a week to get around. If I needed milk or bread then why use a car to make that trip?

It was said once that "not everyone wants to ride a bicycle all the time"
It was also said that not everyone wants to ride a car all the time.

I subscribe to both thoughts.

So what is in essence being said is not enough is spent on bicycle infrastructure to make those 5 mile trips for example convenient and safe for all. There are 190 million potential recreational cyclists in this country ready to be tapped. It is currently a 5 billion dollar a year industry in this country.

A linear trail strategically placed though a community can serve schools, businesses, residential areas. Residents lucky to have a trail nearby enjoy property values 25 - 30 % higher than like homes without such an infrastructure- fact.

Imagine using the same trail to walk or run on ,then using the same trail another day to make that cross town trip if you want to get someplace( work, store, church, shopping )

The UP RR track through Levy I predict will one day become a trail. Mark my word. I'll bet any one that when that happens those existing businesses that sell food and drinks will increase there business revenue by a 1/3. Hook it up with the trail evnetually from the River and off you go. Property along that trail will excel in value.

Trails are not just for recreation that are a supplement to a diverse transportation infrastructure of any well planned community. Another highway just propagates the spread out communities. But its comming to a head. Not enough money from gas revenue, can't build them fast enough to handle the cars. If combined and complementary rail, descent public transit and bicycle infrastructure had been planned 20 years ago we'd be ahead.

Consider Maumelle and Conway. Haven't been there recently? Wonder why people flock from the metro area to live in these places. I believe it dwarfs the exodus to Cabot. Maumelle alone has 36 miles of trails among homes and under the busier roads that lead places. Difference Cabot has not planned for trails. Pity.

Ron,

Well aren't you "special".

James,
Special - me?

Not sure what you are infering but it's probably out of context.

Nope, just telling you like it is.

My guess, Ron, is that James, like me, last rode a bike for any appreciable distance more than 50 years ago. Or maybe 50 pounds ago. Could be we're gonna have to change that. I do know my driving habits have changed -- a lot.
That Northbelt Freeway? No money for highways in the fund now, and maybe not for some time to come.
Light rail or commuter rail? It does make sense in terms of communities surrounding Little Rock. IF. If there is adequate planning for transportation within Lttle Rock when one steps off the train. Let's say I have to be at the Game and Fish Commission offices bright 'n' early. When I alight from the train near downtown, then what? And remember, west Little Rock hills are not old lady friendly. A cab would be the only alternative, I suppose. But at what cost? And have any of you ridden in a cab lately?
Still, the possibilty of a commuter train system certainly makes a lot more sense than a high speed passenger train from Little Rock to Memphis. And what, pray tell, Congressman Berry, should one do when she steps off the train in Memphis? Oh, of course. Take the trolley . . . somewhere. Seems to me that before our representatives tout an investment of this magnitude there should be a demonstrated need. Is there?