Dear Mahatma: How come the lights at the Interstate 30 and Interstate 40 interchange are never turned on at night? It sure is dark, and there’s always a ton of traffic. — Let There Be Light
Dear Light: What we know generally is that lights are installed on interstate highways by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, but their upkeep is the responsibility of the municipality in which they are located.
In this case, that’s North Little Rock. (Full disclosure: We live in North Little Rock, one of the few places on earth where you rake autumn’s bounty of leaves to the curb and a truck comes along and vacuums them up. This is how folks get re-elected.)
Onward to the lights. We forwarded your question to Nathan Hamilton. He is the city’s communications director. And he did. Communicate, that is. Here goes:
The matter of the lights is a recurring topic in North Little Rock, based on Hamilton’s four years as explainer-in-chief.
Those lights have been inoperable for at least five years, when the transformer and any valuable wiring and electronics were taken out by the city’s Electric Department. For many years before, the lights were often out because of theft or the equipment’s age. Not for anything, but those lights are at least 40 years old.
Replacement cost for the lights would be $250,000 to $500,000, according to the Electric Department. Given that the whole interchange will be reconfigured by the 30 Crossing project, starting in 2018, it’s not a prudent use of taxpayer dollars to spend all that money right now.
On the other hand, the city is exploring the idea of having new lights installed as part of the 30 Crossing project.
Citizens are encouraged to express their opinion on this matter to Mayor Joe Smith and members of the City Council. How to contact these folks? Go to nlr.ar.gov and find the relevant contact information. Speak up, people.
Dear Mahatma: I’m not going to drive the racetrack anymore in front of the big church on Interstate 40 in North Little Rock. It’s too dangerous. People drive like maniacs, especially in the morning rush. Please, finish the Broadway Bridge. — Never Mind
Dear Never: We feel your pain regarding the I-40/U.S. 67-167/Interstate 30 meeting and mayhem. There was a recent similar complaint from a reader — it’s like NASCAR, he said.
Have we mentioned 30 Crossing? That’s the name given by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department to the plan to improve, widen and change Interstate 30 from its connection with Interstate 530, over the river and through the woods to include the madness you describe.
That’s a total of 7.3 miles. The goal is to begin the project in 2018, spokesman David Nilles said.
Nilles said design plans are underway, so nothing to look at yet.
The Broadway Bridge project is expected to be done in 74 more days, PTL.
Mahatma@arkansasonline.com