Drivetime Mahatma

Driver says lights favor driveways

Dear Mahatma: Recently there was utility work on North Rodney Parham Road. Traffic lanes and lights had to be altered to accommodate one lane traffic. That work has been finished for some time, but the traffic lights seem to be off-kilter. The light at Rodney Parham and Pleasant Forest seems to be on a timer rather than sensors. Some computer setting, I guess. The light at Rodney Parham and the entrances to Windstream/Christ the King Church seem to be set to favor the two driveways, not Rodney Parham Road. Very frustrating to be stopped on Rodney Parham when there is no vehicle in either driveway. Whom do we contact? -- Cynthia

Dear Cynthia: We have routed the question to Bill Henry, the city's manager of traffic engineering. He said the light at Pleasant Forest and Rodney Parham has not had the video detection system installed yet. The city plans to contract the installation soon, but until installation, fixed-time operation will continue.

Dear Mahatma: Every weekday about 4:30 p.m. northbound Interstate 430 backs up, sometimes as far as I-630. The condition improved last year when the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department finally added a second lane to the entrance ramp for westbound I-40 traffic. But clearly this isn't the total answer. I can only imagine the problem will get worse when the 30 Crossing job gets underway. Do you know if this project is even on the Highway Department's radar? -- Sox Fan

Dear Sox: The Mahatma knows naught, but isn't afraid to ask. In this case, the asking was of David Nilles, who speaks for the Highway Department.

Nilles said there are no plans to widen the ramp that goes from I-430 north to I-40 east. The matter was studied, but engineers believe a widening would involve major modifications at I-40 and Crystal Hill Road and beyond.

Dear Sultan of the Asphalt: I was playing golf a few years ago at War Memorial Golf Course with a friend. On a par 3 overlooking Fair Park Boulevard, my friend plunked the top of a car going by. That caused us to discuss, fruitlessly, the liability in such situations. Can you sort this out? -- Play It As It Lies

Dear Play It: You make us think of the beloved Bill Valentine, the late general manager of the Arkansas Travelers baseball team, and as crusty an old coot as ever graced this town. Back when the Travelers played at Ray Winder Field, mighty sluggers would sometimes launch a ball onto Interstate 630. Bonk. There went a windshield.

Valentine's position as we remember it was, sorry, the Travelers are not responsible. Into every life a little rain. This strikes us as similar to the golf ball mayhem you describe.

Perhaps you and your errant friend could grab your clubs and hustle into the woods. Or you could play golf with people who hit the ball straight.

Let's ask the readership for advice. Maybe some of our readers are insurance agents, or have had a similar experience at War Memorial.

Vanity plate seen in Maumelle: LOLALOT

Fjfellone@gmail.com

Metro on 03/11/2017

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