Bryant commission to discuss traffic, congestion proposal

During its regular meeting set for 6 p.m. Monday, the Bryant Planning Commission plans to discuss a proposal to relieve traffic congestion near Chick-fil-a and Lowe's.

Vice Chair Walter Burgess is requesting the discussion on the proposal.

"Chick-fil-a food and drink is loved by the local community so much that traffic congestion near their Bryant location is a challenge," a document for the proposal reads.

He said the business is a good community partner. The proposal is intended to start a conversation how to improve traffic at the intersection.

Burgess has gotten favorable feedback from stakeholders, including the owner of Chickfil-a, the market president and branch manager of Centennial Bank, the operations manager of Lowe's, the regional and district managers of Lowe's, a traffic engineer with the Arkansas Department of Highway and Transportation, Bryant Mayor Allen Scott, Director of Planning Truett Smith and Police Chief Carl Minden.

The proposal includes two possible solutions.

The first solution is to add an additional lane of traffic on the Centennial Bank side to allow cars to move around those waiting to turn left. It could extend just past Chick-fil-a or along the entire bank property. A "no right on red" sign could be added to Northbound Reynolds Road to stop traffic turning right will traffic is coming South. A curved dotted line could be added to the pavement in the intersection to guide southbound traffic.

The proposal lists anticipated issues as needed for approval from ARDOT, Chick-fil-a and Centennial Bank, along with a traffic light realignment and funding.

The second proposal is for the innermost turn lane direction to be reversed to provide two inbound lanes and allow traffic to flow around cars turning left.

The issues expected there are pavement width, approval from ARDOT, Chick-fil-a and Centennial Bank and traffic light realignment.

This is meant to be an informal discussion with no formal motion expected.

The commission will also hear the Development Review Committee Report considering a special sign permit for Cornerstone Montessori Christian Academy at 4910 Springhill Rd.

The meeting will be at the Boswell Municipal Complex in the City Hall Court Room.

Meetings are open the public and attendance is encouraged.

All city meetings can be viewed through the Bryant, Arkansas Youtube Channel.