Lowell studies Dixieland extension route

LOWELL -- Ron Petrie, project manager with Garver Engineering, proposed two routes for the road during the City Council's meeting Tuesday.

The board unanimously voted against approving an eastern route.

An eastern route would have traveled south from Dixieland Street and connected with West Apple Blossom Road after passing the nearby Brookhaven neighborhood on the east side. A western route would travel south just east of J.B. Hunt and west of the Brookhaven neighborhood. It wouldn't be as close to homes as the eastern route.

Petrie suggested the eastern route because of environmental and safety concerns, he said. The western route would cross over Christie Creek, he said. It also would cross J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive while it curved. He said the eastern route crosses a tributary creek releasing into Christie Creek and crosses J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive at a safer angle.

Dean Bitner, council member, said he was in favor of the eastern route.

"I think it is most appropriate, but I would sure like to hear from some property owners" Bitner said.

Audience members were asked if any property owners, affected by the road, were in attendance. A representative from J.B. Hunt was the only audience member to reply.

Mayor Eldon Long said city officials contacted businesses affected by the routes before the meeting. He said officials didn't contact homeowners.

"I feel those people ought to have a voice," Bitner said. "I don't even think they know we are discussing this."

Bitner said the council could discuss the issue again during its next meeting in September. He said that should give officials time to contact property owners.

The council approved asking the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission for a $1 million grant from the Surface Transportation Program for the Dixieland Project.

Petrie said the money would be used to buy right-of-way along with moving utilities for the project. The city would cover 20 percent or $200,000 for the project.

The city was awarded $450,000 for the engineering portion of the project through the program. The city has to pay $90,000 for its portion, Petrie said.

The Dixieland Street project was placed on the street plan in 2006. Public hearings were held for the plan at the time.

Petrie said public hearings also would need to be held once the city decides on a route. He said the Dixieland Street extension will be about a half-mile long.

NW News on 08/19/2015

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