Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Overpass options up for discussion

Since 1872, the railroad has played an important role in Prescott. Now the Arkansas Highway Department is calling on local residents to help decide the placement of an overpass across the tracks.

While its already been decided that the overpass will be built, the question of locations remains up for debate.

Members of the community were invited to a Highway Department hearing Thursday to discuss the project, and to offer comments. Of those asked, there seems to be no clear consensus of which of three proposed routes will be used for the overpass.

All three proposed routes begin on Highway 371 just south of Webb Street and cross the tracks near Whiteside Street. Two of the proposals then loop around the Nevada County Fairgrounds and connect with Highway 67 just south of Highway 332, also known as Washington Road. These three proposals carry a $5 million price tag for one mile of road and will force relocation of two to three houses. One of those possibly impacted carries a historical designation. Both will have posted speeds of 40 miles per hour.

The third proposal crosses the tracks then loops northward, joining Highway 67 between Whiteside and West Chestnut streets. Three homes and the First Pentecostal Church will be moved if the highway department selects that option. The distance is shorter and the half mile of road is expected to cost $3.4 million. The designated speed limit for this road will be 30 miles per hour.

Several people cited the fact that the third option is a shorter distance and therefore a tighter curve as a negative point. Prescott City Manager Billy House was one of those who said the longer options seem safer.

Its got a larger turn radius and would be less dangerous, House said.

While the safety was discussed by several people, some said they favor the shorter route because it ends closer to the downtown Prescott area. Prescott Water Department Manager Perry Nelson said he sees advantages to all three options.

But I would like to see it stay as close as possible to downtown, Nelson said.

Prescott City Councilwoman Elaine Williams agreed. She said she supports the third option because it doesnt bypass the downtown area.

A father and son who declined to be named briefly discussed the merits of selecting the cheaper option, but ended by saying they support the longer option because it ties in with Washington Road. Theres the potential for another project in that direction that could be a great benefit to truck traffic, they said.

Hines Boulevard connects Washington Road with Highway 371 at the 46 exit of Interstate 30 - an easy route for trucks if Hines Boulevard were improved to handle the traffic, the two said.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said hes in favor of the longer alternative. Taylor said hed also like to see a road connecting a section of that loop to Highway 371.

Though everyone seemed to agree that theres a need for an emergency route across the tracks, at least one homeowner said he believes there could be a less expensive and less intrusive alternative.

Paul Godwin lives on Webb Street and said hes concerned about safety once truck traffic is able to use the bypass. Godwin also said privacy is going to be an issue.

I dont want people to drive by everyday staring into my backyard, Godwin said, pointing out that the incline of the overpass will give motorists a view of the houses in his neighborhood.

While Godwin said he doesnt really see an alternative, he said he isnt certain he wants to live near the overpass.

W.G. Harding, district construction engineer with the highway department, said an underpass had been considered. He said draining had been a problem engineers couldnt overcome and that reconnecting with Highway 67 from an underpass would also be difficult.

Laura Crouch, highway department project manager for the overpass, said the bids are expected to be let in 2008. She said motorists could likely be driving on the road about a year and a half after the project begins.