Posted on

Caution: Low overpass

Road going under railroad crossing finally gets warning signs

Share

Road going under railroad crossing finally gets warning signs

By JOHN RECH

After years without any sort of cautionary signage, the low railroad bridge on the Interstate 55 service road near the Lakeshore Mobile Trailer park got some attention last week.

The low clearance underpass has seemed unknown to the the Arkansas Department of Transportation. Drivers of high profile church buses and do it yourself moving vans have all too often crashed into the bottom of the low train trestle.

The low underpass prompted the Lakeshore Estates Residents Community Association (LERCA) to bring a slide presentation to the Quorum Court in April. The PowerPoint presentation documented damage semitrucks do in their neighborhood as drivers avoid the low bridge and wonder into the neighborhood looking to turn around. Cassie Meyers voiced concerns about wayward truckers on behalf of the group.

“These trucks drive into the neighborhood and tear up yards, posts and crush culverts,” said Meyers. “They are too heavy for the residential streets. Something needs to be done with waning signs and flashing lights.”

Meyers also petitioned the Metropolitan Planning Organization for help with warning signs about the low bridge and rerouting vehicles too tall to fit under the old bridge before they wind up in the mobile home community. The MPO handles road, bridge and highway concerns in the county and works with ArDOT.

West Memphis MPO Planner Sam Jordan replied to the requests for help.

See UNDERPASS, page A3

Photo by CCSO Lt. Darrell Prewitt UNDERPASS

From page A1

“Since the service road is state-owned, approval for changes or new signage will have to come through them. After we’ve gotten on the same page with ArDOT, we’ll reach out to GOS companies, I will promise to take a look at the issue and see what solutions we can offer.”

County Judge Woody Wheeless to a different tack coming out of the presentation at the Quorum Court. Wayward truck traffic increased dramatically after the Interstate 40 closed for repairs. Traffic jams mounted and impatient Truckers ambled down the service road toward the low trestle. Marion Police Chief Brannon Hinkle noted the increased 18 wheeler traffic in the area and approached the judge asking if the Marion side could be posted with warning signs. The Judge approved and Marion Public Works Supervisor Gordon Floyd ordered the signs made and posted on the north side of the trestle along the southbound Interstate 55 Service Road.

Crittenden County Sheriff Lt. Darrell Prewitt noticed the signs and reached out to track down the source of the new signs. He offered thanks on Facebook. He hoped the number of stuck trucks and crashes into the beams supporting the train track would be reduced.

“Hopefully all the 18 wheelers, campers and trailers with tall loads will not pull all the way to the trestle before realizing that they can’t make it where we have to stop traffic so they can back up,” said Prewitt.

LAST NEWS
Scroll Up