WM, ARDOT strike deal on 7th Street

WM, ARDOT strike deal on 7th Street

State will complete major $ 6 million construction project and city will provide the upkeep on developing community corridor

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Mayor Bill Johnson presented improvements to 7th Street as a great opportunity to continue drawing economic development in the heart of the city.

At the July 19 City Council meeting, city officials heard the plan for the Arkansas Department of Transportation to upgrade the street from Broadway all the way to Highway 77. The road, also known as Highway 191, has blossomed as a medical services corridor, including the three-year-old East Arkansas Family Health Center, the two-yearold Woodridge Behavioral Health Center, a pair of long-time local institutions Mid-South Health Systems and the Crittenden County Health Department, and soon to be anchored by the soon-opening Baptist Memorial Hospital-Crittenden Johnson told Council that ARDOT would complete a $6 million overhaul of the street at its own expense if the city would agree to take responsibility for future maintenance on part of the road.

“This is a little different because we will have to assume responsibility for it in the future,” said Johnson. “Some of you have said 7th Street needs an overlay, bad. They’ll re-pave it from Broadway to the overpass and widen on the other side where the new hospital is. It should bring in a lot of industry.”

Department heads in the city administration chimed in with support but the state issued one condition. Future maintenance north of the Interstate would become city responsibility.

“It’s a trade,” said City Engineer Amanda Hicks. “This is a full state (funded) project and should help with traffic as the area becomes more commercialized. With the hospital going in, it is a great opportunity for growth but we are taking ownership.”

City Economic Director Phillip Sorrell estimated that quality road improvements would provide 30 years of durability and serve as a magnet for more development along the stretch.

“Initially they wanted us to take control of all of it, including the old section,” said Sorrell. “The mayor pushed back on some of that and with the assistance of Senator Ingram, we take ownership of the northern piece and not the existing part. We feel we struck a pretty good deal through local negotiation.

“We have to credit Senator Ingram,” said Johnson. “It was stalled when he got into the negotiation.”

A roundabout near the curve north of the hospital at the Southland Drive intersection was planned as part of the project — a first of its kind in the area. Everything was set except the details to adorn it.

“It’s yet to be resolved whether they’ll put flowers or concrete in it,” said Johnson.

By John Rech