LOWELL -- The City Council asked project engineers to explore options for extending Dixieland Street after hearing concerns from nearby landowners Tuesday.
The council voted down an eastern route option for the road in August. Council members said landowners hadn't been properly notified of the road extension before the meeting.
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's corporate campus and west of the Brookhaven neighborhood. It wouldn't be as close to homes as the eastern route.
Ron Petrie, project manager with Garver Engineering, suggested the eastern route because of environmental and safety concerns, he said. The western route would cross 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.
Five residents of the Brookhaven neighborhood spoke against both route options during the meeting.
Wayne Benson said his property line is only a few feet away from the western route.
"We chose our place for privacy," Benson said. "I have a two-year old. I don't want him out in the street."
Dan Cox said either option will be a burden to property owners in the neighborhood.
"I am all for progress," Cox said. "We don't particularly like either of these proposals. We all face the same issue no matter where it shows up."
Eric Schein, council member, said the road would dump onto Apple Blossom which can't handle the traffic flow. He said improvement to Apple Blossom could be limited because of a ramp planned in the area for Interstate 49.
"This is a waste of money," Schein said about the Dixieland Street extension.
Mayor Eldon Long said the city already has used money from a grant for engineering purposes it would have to pay back if the road isn't complete.
The city was awarded $450,000 for the engineering portion through the Surface Transportation Program. The city has to pay $90,000 for its portion, Petrie said.
The council also approved asking the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission for a $1 million grant from the Surface Transportation Program for the Dixieland project during its August meeting.
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.
Bitner asked engineers to see if the grant could be used to extend Dixieland Street to Bloomington Street instead of Apple Blossom Road.
"It is an option we need to explore," Bitner said.
Bitner said officials previously thought there would be a further western route when the road was initially planned. He said J.B. Hunt's plans to build an office tower in that location has limited the western route options.
Long said council members have to be prepared that any option explored will meet resistance from property owners.
NW News on 09/16/2015