SPRINGDALE : City told to fund I-540 exit
Posted on Friday, August 8, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/233629/
Springdale likely will have to pay for the proposed exit at Interstate 540 and Don Tyson Parkway, but state and federal representatives vowed Thursday to help guide the project through the bureaucracy.
U. S. Rep. John Boozman, a Republican from Rogers, and Jonathan Barnett, chairman of the Arkansas Highway Commission, told Springdale aldermen that state and federal money is scarce, and the only realistic way to finance design and construction of the exit is to dig into local wallets.
Boozman, however, said that the political will in Springdale seems united and that he would use his position on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to make sure the Spring- dale road program remains at the top of his agenda.
“What I need is consensus from all of you,” said Boozman. “This is unique — everyone is on the same page.”
Springdale has a Capital Improvement Program that is used for road projects. But a mounting wish list combined with a prolonged downturn in sales tax revenue has raised questions as to how much money the city will have over the next decade to build an exit, which can cost in excess of $ 20 million.
Barnett, who will leave the Highway Commission and join the state Legislature this January, said Springdale shouldn’t spend much time looking to the state for road funds. Barnett said the Highway Commission has identified $ 20 billion in needs over the next 10 years, but foresees only $ 4 billion to fulfill them.
“In Arkansas, we’re strapped,” Barnett said. “There’s just no money. The bottom line is, Springdale will have to take the leadership position.”
Shortly after Barnett’s assessment, Alderman Jim Reed complained.
“That doesn’t sound like a leadership role,” Reed said. “It sounds like we’ll have to do the whole thing.”
“That’s very possible,” Barnett said.
Like Boozman, Barnett applauded Springdale for its aggressive bond program, approved in 2003, and its commitment to enhance citywide access. With that in mind, Barnett said the Highway Department is “supportive” of Springdale’s efforts to build the Tyson Parkway exit.
State Rep. Jon Woods, RSpringdale, said the exit will be among his top priorities during the 2009 legislative session.
In July, the City Council agreed to enter into contract negotiations with Garver Engineers for the design of the exit.
City staff is expected to bring a contract proposal to aldermen as early as Aug. 19. Earlier this year, the City Council passed a resolution designating the exit as a top priority. Interstate access from Tyson Parkway is considered essential for growth in west Springdale around Arvest Ballpark, where developers want to build a 1, 000-acre mixed-use campus with retail, residential, sports and corporate outlets.
The exit also would create access to south Springdale east of I-540. The contract with Garver, if approved, will cover all phases of development, from preliminary planning to groundbreaking. The first major step toward building an exit is to gain approval from the Federal Highway Administration to connect to the federal highway.
Brock Hoskins, Garver’s senior vice president and chief engineer, said the access study could be completed in 10 months.
Boozman was eager to pledge his support but careful not to raise expectations. Referring to a national tour that he and other legislators recently took, he said, “The amount of infrastructure that is needed in this country is tremendous.”