Hey: We were admiring the Broadway bridge the other day from the Little Rock side and saw something we'd never seen before on the Arkansas River. A boat was pulling a water-skier. Seemed dangerous to us given the unpredictability of the river. Is this legal? -- River View
Dear River: Is this a traffic question? Sure, because the river is a form of conveyance.
So we asked Laurie Driver of the Army Corps of Engineers because it has been given the responsibility by Congress to regulate the navigable rivers of the United States. Huah, people.
Driver said the Corps doesn't prohibit water-skiing in the river but doesn't recommend it. Neither does it recommend swimming in the thing.
Translation -- not illegal; please don't.
A look at the Little Rock city code turns up this: "It shall be unlawful for any person to swim in the Arkansas River within the boundaries of city parks."
A search for water-skiing turned up zilch.
Sir: I often walk over the Big Dam Bridge. I always keep to the far right out of the way of other traffic. I read with interest the problems with walkers and bikers. It's true that many walkers take up the whole bridge and impede cyclists. But what most cyclists don't seem to know (or conveniently forget) is that posted at the approach of each end of the bridge is a sign that reads, "Bikers 5 mph max." I wish you would remind the cyclists to heed this 5 mph sign. -- Patrick
Dear Patrick: We live to serve.
Yo, people on bicycles. You may go no faster than 5 mph on the Big Dam Bridge.
Yo, pedestrians. Keep to the right, don't take up too much space, and don't get run over.
Yo, dog walkers. Clean up after your pet. Nothing is more disgusting than ... you know what we mean.
Dear Mahatma: On eastbound Interstate 630 at the Fair Park exit ramp, the middle lane has developed a swale which has become increasingly noticeable. In fact, it is now becoming a test for one's shocks, which could be the Highway Department's alternative to a vehicle testing program. Does the swale have to turn into a sinkhole before it's repaired? -- Anxious Norman
Dear Norman: We have a response from District 6 of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.
District 6 is aware of the dip in the road. (We feel a joke coming on. Must ... restrain ... self.)
An investigation continues to determine whether there is a problem with the pipe structure this area crosses, and whether there is a location for the loss of material that could contribute to the depression.
Once the cause is found, a contractor can be hired to do slab leveling. Date of such a thing is to be determined.
On a linguistic note, swale is a beautiful word. It is a low or hollow place such as a marshy depression between ridges. Also, according to Merriam-Webster's dictionary: a shallow depression on a golf course.
Vanity plate seen on a sports car: BLUHARE.
Fjfellone@arkansasonline.com
Metro on 07/22/2017