Dear Mahatma: While out driving the other day, I noticed nearly all the lights on Interstate 630 through downtown Little Rock were out. As were lights on Interstate 30 to the Interstate 40 interchange, including the very tall lights at the latter. Who maintains these lights? Can you ask the Arkansas Department of Transportation about this? -- Richard in Little Rock
Dear Richard: We mostly know the answer, which is that the state agency erects those lights and then the cities are responsible for their upkeep. In Little Rock, call Public Works at (501) 371-4475.
In North Little Rock, call the traffic office at (501) 340-5352. But we already know one more answer, regarding the very tall lights at the interchange.
Those have been out since memory runneth to the contrary. Stated reason is the stripping of copper wire by thieves, miscreants, felons and dirtbags. But the current city administration has said, actually promised in this column, to have working lights at the interchange as part of the 30 Crossing project.
That project, part of which includes a new I-30 bridge over the Arkansas River, is anticipated to begin sometime this year and be fully open to traffic in 2022.
Dear Mahatma: I live in North Little Rock and was excited about the new McCain Boulevard overpass to Arkansas 161. But I don't use it going west from Roundtop Drive because you must pull out into the east lane to see traffic coming over the bridge. Can a warning light be placed to alert cars of traffic entering the overpass from Roundtop? -- Rebecca
Dear Rebecca: Chris Wilbourn, the city's chief engineer and traffic director, said a signal was considered here but isn't warranted for the volume of traffic. He also said that if westbound traffic is going the speed limit, sight clearance meets standards of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Wilbourn said he would have the City Traffic Services Department add an extra speed limit sign for westbound traffic coming from Arkansas 161. That sign should be erected by this publication.
Dear Mahatma: Here is a copy of a letter sent by the mayor of Beebe to the Arkansas Department of Transportation. Looks like your column last week had a positive impact. -- Beebe Resident
Dear Resident: We are but a conduit of information.
The letter from Mayor Mike Robertson asks ArDot to do traffic light studies of Exit 28, at both northbound and southbound off-ramps, from U.S. 67/167 to U.S. 64. The mayor cites the recent widening of U.S. 64 and growth of businesses as causing increased traffic.
Remember that our understanding of the system is that if ArDot determines traffic signals are warranted, it will build the signals when funds become available. But the city is responsible for continued maintenance.
Also remember that a traffic light sounds like a good idea, but that drivers constantly complain about too many traffic lights.
Vanity plate seen around town: MAY4BWU.
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Metro on 09/01/2018