Interchange concerns

Dear editor:

I have some comments and concerns regarding the extension of the MLK bypass from 70 to Highway 7, specifically the interchange on Promise Land Road.

There is to be a $5-$10 million limited access expressway interchange emptying onto a dirt road, on an environmentally fragile ridge in the middle of a subdivision having only seven to eight residences after the other homes are acquired. I have spoken with the ArDOT design engineer who stated they don’t want this interchange; the residents on Promise Land don’t want it. It is being requested by Garland County. One Arkansas senator said he can’t stop it, but did check into it. I have not heard from another at this time. Several troubling things:

• USGS has not completed a survey of the recharge area of the Hot Springs interchange. This highway interchange could be in the recharge zone. There are many wells, springs and upwellings that will be affected because of the existing geological infrastructure or substrate. Can we not connect the warm water wells off Promise Land Road and Bratton Road, Cluster Springs with Thousand Dripping Springs on the opposite side of the ridge? It is possible that removing material off the ridge could ruin the hydrology of this whole area? You might have bypassed Thousand Dripping Springs and Cluster Springs, but if water no longer feeds those areas, what have you really saved?

• The interchange caught state and local government officials by surprise, one being on the transportation committee.

• ArDOT has been asked to modify/ enlarge the interchange once already. This is affecting more homes and landowners; the original was a two-lane road with a bridge on Promise Land across the highway to maintain travel on that road in the subdivision. Now it is a half-mile wide interchange on one of the most beautiful ridges in central Arkansas.

• The project for this highway was to be determined by traffic count.

• This interchange is not for the residents, because the remaining sections in the subdivision will not be paved. Who will really be benefiting from this?

• This expensive interchange takes money from other road improvements and projects in Garland County, as well as Hot Springs, Mountain Pine, Fountain Lake and Lonsdale, and with the matching funds from the state of Arkansas, takes it from the rest of the state. Residents should be outraged by misuse of our tax dollars.

• The residents affected by the interchange would settle for just paving Promise Land Road from Millcreek to Cedar Creek with a bridge over the highway to provide county services such as fire, police, ambulance, refuse pick up, etc., with a quick and safe road. This would cost millions less.

• ArDOT has said that there have never been more complaints about a road project in the state. This should be a red flag.

This is a prime example of government waste and corruption by special interests. Please contact ArDOT, state and local officials if you share these concerns. Terry Falconer Hot Springs