A problem with the stoplight control system at U.S. 71 and Benton County Road 40 is affecting all the lights along the highway, according to Chris Suneson, director of Community Development Services for Bella Vista.
For weeks people traveling on U.S. 71 have complained about the huge backups created by the malfunctioning light.
"We've received points of contact through email and Facebook about the traffic situation on Highway 71, and we are working on it," Suneson said. "The Benton County 40 signal controls traffic flows up to Riordan Road. When it is off, everything else is as well."
He said the problem with the County 40 signal is a relatively new one.
"The County 40 signal has been allowing more traffic from Benton County 40 onto Highway 71 than usual. The Highway Department is adjusting the timing so that north-south traffic flows more smoothly. The signal has been a tremendous frustration for people, and we appreciate them being patient as the Highway Department gets it right."
Another project, already underway, that will help with traffic on Riordan Road is the improvements to the main intersection, which has been a joint effort by the city and CEI Engineering. The city held a public hearing session earlier this year for residents to give suggestions for possible changes.
"CEI provided the city with two finalized, conceptual alternatives in early April to improve Riordan Road that reflected the public input we've received from both business and property owners in the area as well as the public at large," Suneson said.
The first alternative included realigning a driveway and some parking improvements on the Cunningham Corner development.
The second alternative included only street and trail improvements.
Suneson said that the first alternative was abandoned because it would require changes to a parking lot that is contained on private property.
"CEI has been authorized to move forward with construction documents fleshing out the construction of Alternative 2. It provides longer stacking distances along Riordan Road onto Highway 71, a longer two-way left turn lane for easier traffic movements, and an additional lane for west-bound traffic. The concept also included extension of a paved trail segment over the Highway 71 bridge crossing Little Sugar Creek."
The final plan will be submitted sometime in the next few months.
General News on 05/04/2016