New road proposal in Jonesboro causes controversy - Jonesboro Right Now

Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – April 1, 2024 – The resolution, which hasn’t been decided yet by the Public Works Committee, has already received criticism from a Jonesboro City Council member.

The resolution, listed in its entirety below, is for the city to pay $1 million on a proposed traffic easement roadway from Aggie Road, near the intersection of Red Wolf Boulevard to Airport Road, near the location of the new overpass being built. The road would cross a section of farmland owned by Arkansas State University, according to a map.

The resolution states the city will partner with the Arkansas Department of Transportation and Arkansas State University on the project.

A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILLINGNESS OF THE CITY OF JONESBORO TO PARTNER WITH THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS: JOB 101073, HWY. 351 CONNECTOR (AGGIE RD.) (JONESBORO) (S)

WHEREAS, the City of Jonesboro (City) has requested to partner with Arkansas State University (University) and the Arkansas Department of Transportation (Department) to construct a new connector between Highway 49 (Red Wolf Boulevard) and Highway 351 in Jonesboro;

WHEREAS, the City has expressed interest in partnering with the Department to accept ownership and responsibility of Highway 351 from Highway 49 (Johnson Avenue) to the new connector upon completion of the project;

WHEREAS, the City also agrees to provide $1,000,000 toward project costs;

WHEREAS, the City will be financially responsible for all City owned utilities per the Department’s Utility Accommodation Policy;

WHEREAS, the Department will be responsible for handling all utility coordination; and

WHEREAS, the Department will oversee all other phases of the project and will provide all additional funding necessary for the project.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS THAT:

SECTION 1: The City will participate in accordance with its designated responsibilities in the projects.

SECTION 2: The Mayor, or his designated representative, is hereby authorized and directed to execute all appropriate agreements and contracts necessary to expedite design and construction of the projects.

SECTION 3: The City pledges its full support and hereby requests that the Arkansas Department of Transportation initiate action to implement these improvements.

Council member LJ Bryant on Monday, April 1, 2024, sent a letter to Mayor Harold Copenhaver and several members of the media that is critical of the project, saying the proposal “is a luxury we can’t afford.”

“The citizens of Jonesboro are outraged by the incidents both downtown and at Target. These are only two of many concerning incidents. (Jonesboro Police Department) is doing a great job of capturing criminals. However, we have many issues related to criminal justice that are currently outside their control. Among these issues involve working with our partners to ensure we have room for lawbreakers and/or additional resources for alternative sentencing. We have to restore the rule of law in our town at whatever cost. Nothing is more important.

The proposed spending of $1 million dollars for a parallel road beside another road is a luxury we can’t afford. […]”

On Monday, Copenhaver responded,

“Any time there is an opportunity to support shared infrastructure between the city and Arkansas State, I believe it merits consideration. In this case, both expanding opportunities for development at the University and reducing traffic on Aggie Road and near the University Heights School campus have benefits to the community.

Aggie Road is a curvy thoroughfare through a residential area that the city is already working to make more pedestrian friendly with a funded bike trail that is in the final planning and design stages. Providing an alternative route for current traffic and future growth, that builds upon the overpass under construction and millions in recent investments in the airport, will provide a safer and more direct connection to Red Wolf Boulevard.

The project, which will include pedestrian infrastructure, is estimated in the $5,000,000 range and the city share would be $1,000,000, which is consistent with these types of shared projects.”

The Public Works Committee will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, in the City Council chambers in City Hall on South Church Street.