In meetings with residents in February and March, Bryant Mayor Allen Scott fielded the topic of the need for better traffic management at Bryant Parkway and Highway 5 North. Mayor Scott told residents that he agreed something needed to be done.
Scott and Public Works Director, Mark Grimmett discussed the matter with engineering firms as well as representatives from the with the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), since 5 is a state highway. ARDOT also agreed that this is an intersection that presents a need. However, the funding is not currently available.
“A traffic study has been completed, and ARDOT has agreed the intersection warrants a traffic signal,” states Mayor Scott. “The challenge is that their timeline to begin the project is 3-4 years down the road, and we just do not have the luxury to adhere to that time schedule.”
But there might be a solution.
“The city has existing traffic signal equipment that we removed from other roadways,” stated Grimmett. “I believe we can transplant that equipment to this intersection. This would allow us to move up the time table for this project.”
Bryant’s Public Works Department consulted a local engineering firm regarding design changes that would need to be implemented along with the traffic signal improvements. Once this information is solidified, the city will need to work with ARDOT for final approval on the design change request.
“It would have been optimal if these intersection improvements could have been implemented prior to the school opening,” continued Mayor Scott. “However, ARDOT requires that the road be constructed and opened before a study can be done to determine if an intersection warrants a traffic signal on a state highway.”
MySaline will have more as this project progresses.