Dear Mahatma: You really made something happen. In your July 2 column, you addressed a concern about speeding through construction zones. The very next day, the construction zone on Interstate 430 at Stagecoach Road was crawling with state troopers, several of whom had motorists pulled over. Good job! -- Admirer
Dear Admirer: Hate to burst your bubble -- and ours -- but those troopers were likely out there as part of the annual effort by the state police to slow down drivers on the busy July Fourth holiday, and especially to crack down on drunken driving. As sure as the beer swillers pull their boats to and from the lakes, troopers step up their patrols.
We have an acquaintance in the business of the distribution of alcoholic beverages, and are told that the July Fourth holiday period is absolutely the best for brewski sales.
But, hey, thanks for the props. Power of the press. Boo-yah.
Dear Mahatma: We drove by two major interstate rest areas recently and both were closed for remodeling, near Malvern and Russellville. Since we promote tourism, shouldn't these have been remodeled during the off-season so our tourists could use them now? This was poor planning in my opinion. -- That's What I'm Sayin'
Dear Sayin': Never mind the tourists, The Mahatma recently drove by the rest stop near Russellville, having previously consumed two large cups of coffee. The disappointment was, um, palpable.
Since the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department operates the rest stops, we went there for the full skinny, courtesy of spokesman David Nilles. He had a lot to say in response.
The Russellville rest stop, properly known as Big Piney, closed down in January. The other, known as Social Hill, closed in March. Big Piney should be open in the summer of 2017, and Social Hill in late 2017. Both will take about a year and a half, so there was no way around the tourist season. Or the nontourist season.
Larger buildings will be constructed at both to make more restrooms that meet the latest requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The restrooms will also have baby-changing stations, so please tolerate the squalling. (Been there; done that.)
Now, stop referring to these as rest stops. They are fixin' to be Tourist Information Centers, equipped with self-service kiosks that feature iDriveArkansas.com, the Highway Department's travel information website.
Other kiosks will have weather conditions and forecasts, and information about local attractions. Limited public Wi-Fi access will be available.
Last week's column included a Q&A about the parking of boats on Little Rock streets. Is that legal? Yes, was the answer from the city's parking authority.
One reader believes the Q was directed at him. The legality of his boat parking, he said, was confirmed twice by Little Rock police.
Vanity plate seen on a Camaro: MUSCLED.
Mahatma@arkansasonline.com
Metro on 07/16/2016