access to i-49 from hwy 102 to be closed for 3 months (sales, new home)

[Loveswater_outdoors]

Originally Posted by Snaple4

I prefer it without the lights. Less light pollution, less expense for taxpayers in electricity, equipment, repairs..., and I find it easier to drive in at night.

I am sure the last point will be different for other people but the other points are worth not installing them.

I gotta disagree as someone who has more issues driving at night than I used to. 10 years ago I would have agreed, but NWA is filled with rich people we can afford to put lights up, even sporadically. Does anyone here actually write their congressperson? I feel like it is a waste of time and they just ignore anyone that doesn't donate massive amounts of cash to them.

[thewizard16]

Originally Posted by Loveswater_outdoors

I gotta disagree as someone who has more issues driving at night than I used to. 10 years ago I would have agreed, but NWA is filled with rich people we can afford to put lights up, even sporadically. Does anyone here actually write their congressperson? I feel like it is a waste of time and they just ignore anyone that doesn't donate massive amounts of cash to them.

It's not a waste of time, I'd encourage it. Congressional offices keep records on every topic they get letters from. If enough people write in about lights, or any other specific issue, I can guarantee it gets put on the representative's radar and looked into by staffers. Letters and calls are actually one of the ways they feel out what is important to their constituents.

And I agree, the lights would help in some areas specifically but also because NWA interstates are more prone to wildlife than some other areas and it might help discourage a few deer here and there or at least let you see them quicker. Downward facing LED lights can be done that illuminate the road but don't contribute much to the urban/city glow. Little Rock switched out the I-30 bridge lights to those a few years back and it's a nice set up.

[Snaple4]

Originally Posted by Loveswater_outdoors

I gotta disagree as someone who has more issues driving at night than I used to. 10 years ago I would have agreed, but NWA is filled with rich people we can afford to put lights up, even sporadically. Does anyone here actually write their congressperson? I feel like it is a waste of time and they just ignore anyone that doesn't donate massive amounts of cash to them.

It is fine if you don't agree with driving at night but to think the rich people can pay for lights because they are rich and should is silly. I think "they" already pay more than their fair share, also, it isn't based on income because of how Arkansas state allocates the money it receives from taxes. It takes a lot of money to pay for that type of infrastructure. That kind of money must be saved/spent over time and personally I would rather our tax dollars go to something that is more productive; Examples would be better pay for teachers/officers, better funding of roads/sidewalks themselves.... I can go on. Arkansas only has so much money. They need to spend our money carefully.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Loveswater_outdoors

I gotta disagree as someone who has more issues driving at night than I used to. 10 years ago I would have agreed, but NWA is filled with rich people we can afford to put lights up, even sporadically. Does anyone here actually write their congressperson? I feel like it is a waste of time and they just ignore anyone that doesn't donate massive amounts of cash to them.

What does rich people have to do with driving on highways and who should pay for the lighting? If that were the case do you think only the rich as you call them should be allowed to drive on the highway? After all you want them to pay for the lighting. bTW funding for the roads, regardless of whether it comes to lights, new intersections, adding lanes or whatever, the cost comes from the state and the taxes which, in case you do not know, taxes are paid based on income. So, I guess, in a way, the rich you are talking about do pay for the lighting or lack of same.

[duke944]

I've spend the last 30 years living KC, Houston then Denver area. I find I49 ridiculously easy to drive at all times of the day and night. It's such a breeze it never even dawned on me there were no lights.

[Snaple4]

Speaking of closing down 49 ramps, looking at the 2008 bentonville master plan, does anyone know of any updates for north j-street? Seems like a perfect opportunity for the city to make a beautiful tree lined entrance to the museums. Drove the dirt section of J the other day and thought the vehicle was going to be swallowed by the road.

[DC at the Ridge]

Originally Posted by Snaple4

Speaking of closing down 49 ramps, looking at the 2008 bentonville master plan, does anyone know of any updates for north j-street? Seems like a perfect opportunity for the city to make a beautiful tree lined entrance to the museums. Drove the dirt section of J the other day and thought the vehicle was going to be swallowed by the road.

I like the dirt section of J. The section between 102 and Central will be where the new Walmart HQ will be. A lot of the buildings there will have to go to make room for the HQ, and hopefully, they will make the new HQ attractive and put in nice landscaping. The existing HQ is utilitarian, and there really wasn't much that could be done with landscaping. Plus, it's a sea of parking. I'm surprised how slow progress is going with the new HQ.

[Snaple4]

Originally Posted by DC at the Ridge

I like the dirt section of J. The section between 102 and Central will be where the new Walmart HQ will be. A lot of the buildings there will have to go to make room for the HQ, and hopefully, they will make the new HQ attractive and put in nice landscaping. The existing HQ is utilitarian, and there really wasn't much that could be done with landscaping. Plus, it's a sea of parking. I'm surprised how slow progress is going with the new HQ.

I like the dirt section of J as well. I was just commenting on the section at the bottom of the hill that kept getting washed out. The road department, just after my last post, went and graded the road. Now they have laid dirty base on that short section. Much easier on the vehicle now. Thank you road department if you are reading.

[Loveswater_outdoors]

Originally Posted by nmnita

What does rich people have to do with driving on highways and who should pay for the lighting? If that were the case do you think only the rich as you call them should be allowed to drive on the highway? After all you want them to pay for the lighting. bTW funding for the roads, regardless of whether it comes to lights, new intersections, adding lanes or whatever, the cost comes from the state and the taxes which, in case you do not know, taxes are paid based on income. So, I guess, in a way, the rich you are talking about do pay for the lighting or lack of same.

I am simply stating that there is no reason we couldn't fund an initiative like this when many, many, many other areas have. The reason I said "rich" is because I wouldn't go down to Waldren Arkansas and expect rural country roads to have them, there simply isn't enough taxpayers nor need. This is something where if enough people voted for it, it likely wouldn't be that expensive to do! It isn't that complicated people...

[Snaple4]

Originally Posted by Loveswater_outdoors

I am simply stating that there is no reason we couldn't fund an initiative like this when many, many, many other areas have. The reason I said "rich" is because I wouldn't go down to Waldren Arkansas and expect rural country roads to have them, there simply isn't enough taxpayers nor need. This is something where if enough people voted for it, it likely wouldn't be that expensive to do! It isn't that complicated people...

I already stated my concerns with such an idea above. I am against putting lights along the highway if for nothing else environmental reasons (The material, the fuel and concrete used to install them, the required electricity to run all those bright light pollution generating poles...). Also, I think you meant something else when you said "Rich". I think you meant we have rich people here that should fork over their money to pay for something you think we need.... I could be wrong but saying "NWA is filled with rich people" helps my thinking.