Drivetime Mahatma

On I-430, lane tape is sticky issue

O Mahatma Who Finds Answers to Simple Questions: The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department has recently tried to re-stripe the north and south lanes of Interstate 430. A huge mess was made. Why choose to use marking tape instead of the thermoplastic paint used elsewhere in our great state? -- Concerned Taxpayer

Dear Taxpayer: Concern about this appears to be widespread, given several similar questions. The Mahatma has also seen those squiggly lines on I-430. As for simple, these things seldom are.

Dudes, we asked the Highway Department people, what's up with this?

Yo, came back the answer, both profiled thermoplastic and high-performance tape have been judged substantially equal in performance. Contractors are allowed to use either when they submit bids so they can meet federal requirements for specifying competitive products. Because competition is good for taxpayers, it can lead to more cost-effective operations. Except maybe for intercontinental ballistic missiles. Better to choose the best rather than the cheapest. Fortunately, this column is about highways and not nuc-a-lur missiles.

Here's the rub. The Highway Department has determined that the tape put down on I-430 didn't adhere as well as it has on similar projects. Both the contractor and the supplier of the tape are investigating. A solution is forthcoming.

Vanity plate seen on a red Corvette: REDBLUR.

Dear Mahatma: Can you find out why there is a three-way, full stop at Leawood Boulevard and Lorna Drive. Louwanda and Biscayne also intersect Leawood, but there aren't stop signs on Leawood, just those side streets. There's also a rather high speed bump close by. -- Fran

Dear Fran: Stop signs and speed bumps are an indication that someone believes that traffic is going too fast on a particular street. In this case, Leawood Boulevard.

Bill Henry, the city's chief traffic wizard, said the three-way stop in question was put up at the request of the city administration.

Translation: Folks in the neighborhood wanted to slow down traffic. In a democracy, folks fuss to the folks in charge, and things happen. In this case, more than a year ago.

Vanity plate seen on a white Corvette: KUNG FU.

Dear Mahatma: I read your column to Daisy and she took exception to the part about "beat like a rented mule." -- Muleskinner

Dear Skinner: Thank you for sending that photo of Daisy in the tall grass at your place. She's a fine-looking mule. Tell her the expression is now retired.

Dear Road Worrier: While driving home late one night, I came across a big street department sign on a wagon that some mischievous lads must have pushed into the middle of Old Forge Road. It was too late to call 311. Should I have called 911? -- Wise One

Dear Wise: Judgment call. If it appears a driver might plow into the thing, 911 sounds like a good idea.

Mahatma@arkansasonline.com

Metro on 04/25/2015

Upcoming Events