For aerial photo map of the land, please scroll down this blog post.
PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE
WHAT: | Public Involvement - West & Middle Forks White River Structures and Approaches (Fayetteville) (Hwy. 16) | |
WHEN: | Thursday, January 26, 2012 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. | |
WHERE: | Harris Baptist Church (Fellowship Hall) 2201 North Center Street in Elkins | |
CONTACT: | Ruby Jordan, Section Head - Public Involvement |
Note: Material will be posted as links as soon as they become available and if applicable to the Meeting.
Flyer (.pdf)
Legal Notice (.pdf)
Environmental Document (.pdf)
Project Map (.pdf)
Project Packet (includes comment form)
AHTD Job 040569
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Freedom of Information
In the last year my husband and I bought property by the Middle Fork of the White River that right now is being affected by a proposed bridge replacement that I wanted to notify you about because 1) it raises some important concerns regarding urban sprawl; and 2) even though the two bridges affected are in the City of Fayetteville (and one area that will have a some land taken BELONGS to the City of Fayetteville) the public-input meeting was held in . . . . ELKINS rather than Fayetteville. As a result, attendance by interested Fayetteville residents was probably decreased, and attendance by people who live in Elkins was probably increased, resulting in a public-input primarily by those who would be more receptive to a faster, wider route to Elkins.
I have attached several documents, including the COMMENT FORM. And also my thoughts, below.
I spoke with the chief engineer on this project, Linda Gunn, and she says that the new bridge (which will be wider- two lanes and two shoulders) and the new section of road and new bridge at the Middle Fork will accommodate 60 MPH traffic. Currently it is only 50 MPH. She has assured me that there is no "current" plan to widen all of 16 West for the next few years, but these bridges are being built bigger and wider for just that reason. So what's the problem with all this? THIS WILL SUBSIDIZE AND FACILITATE MORE URBAN SPRAWL!!! This Middle Fork bridge was built in 1927 and is not unsound. The only real reason I can imagine it is being replaced is because the State has received federal funding and doing this now will make expansion of Hwy. 16 East easier and less costly.
If we stop the bridge widening (and the public is probably not even being made aware that this expansion will eventually accommodate faster and therefore increased traffic) perhaps we can slow down the sprawl!!!
The comment period is only 15 days from the day of the meeting which was held on January 26th, yet pertinent information and the comment form itself is not available on the State's website even today! They are not making it easy to attend the meeting or even provide comments! Here's a link. http://www.arkansashighways.com/public_meetings/2012/040569/040569.aspx
Please make your opinion heard!!! Please help by submitting public comments!!!
DEMAND THAT ANOTHER PUBLIC INTEREST AND INPUT MEETING BE HELD IN FAYETTEVILLE BEFORE ANY DECISIONS ARE MADE! IT IS NOT FAIR TO HOLD IT WAY OUT IN ELKINS (2201 n. center street, elkins) WHEN THE TWO BRIDGES ARE IN FAYETTEVILLE!!! DEMAND THAT THE COMMENT PERIOD NOT BE CLOSED UNTIL THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED, WHEN I ASKED FOR THESE THEY SAID THEY ARE NOT COMPLETED YET, SO THE PUBLIC IS BEING ASKED TO MAKE COMMENTS BEFORE THE PUBLIC EVEN HAS ENOUGH INFORMATION.
Stephanie Dzur
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