Marion mayor weighs in on perilous intersection

Fogleman: ‘I think its coming… it’s logical but as far the city doing it, we have not looked into it’

news@theeveningtimes.com

Ask anyone frequently traveling Highway 77 past the Neighborhood Walmart about how many crashes have occurred at the L.H.

Polk intersection in the last year and it’s bound to lead to a debate over one key question.

“Do we need a traffic light there?”

The West Memphis and Marion Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has tallied the official crash numbers. Police reported eight accidents at the corner during 2018. Photos of rolled-over vehicles, T-bone tangles, bent fenders and car vs. motorcycle accidents seem to fill social media pages more often than that, almost always followed by comments debating over the need for a traffic signal at the south end of the store parking lot. With plans 90 percent completed for a railroad overpass that extends L.H.

Polk around the back of the Walmart parking lot where it will eventually cross the train tracks to the north toward Mound City Road, the traffic volume at the corner is only expected to rise once the road opens.

Marion Mayor Frank Fogleman and city planner Ed Cain reported the overpass plan progress during the November MPO meeting in West Memphis. Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad officials approved the development. “The 90 percent plans are in Little Rock,” said Fogleman.

“Comments have been received on the 90 percent roadway plans,” said Cain, “but as far as the 90 percent structural plans, I know they have not received comments.

BNSF has given its seal of approval of the crossing.

We’re going to have to pay a fee for that.”

The bridge proposed over the track was sure to increase the traffic at the busy intersection in front of the store. MPO Transportation Planner Bobby Williams pointed to human nature role in crashes in general.

“The longer some one has to wait at a corner, the more impatient they can get,” said Williams, “then drivers are more likely to get aggressive and take a risk. That’s how crashes happen.”

The mayor saw the need for a signal in front of Walmart emerging but said the traffic study and crash data cost benefit analysis responsibility belonged to the Arkansas Department of Transportation since Highway 77 was a State Highway.

“The greater number of accidents the more likely they are to look at accidents,”

the meeting. “Their past history has been if they believe a signal is warranted, they put it in with the city becoming responsible for future maintenance. Beyond that I have not done (specific) study and have not looked into costs. Accident reports are something to track. It’s all got to come though the highway department. I think its coming, it’s logical but as far the city doing it, we have not looked into it.”

Williams said even illtimed traffic signals can create impatience and lead to crashes.

Another spot that may come to mind for motorists in Marion thinking about traffic light frustration may be the Military Road underpass at Interstate 55.

Citizens may track crashes and leave comments about local roads and transportation needs at the MPO website, wmats.org. Check the maps button for crash counts and locations and zoom in on spots of concern for totals. Completing a brief annual survey and hits on the site help the MPO demonstrate community interaction to state and federal road funding programs.

“It’s a great reference,” said Williams.

The MPO has planned four quarterly citizens advisory meetings next year and distributed the calendar at the November meeting.

The meetings bring updates on planned road projects and allow for citizens questions and input. The 2020 meeting were slated for Feb. 4, May 5, Aug. 4, and Nov. 3. All meeting times are scheduled for 10 a.m. at West Memphis City Hall, 200 Redding St.