Gridlock was agony
On March 28 I suffered though one hour of gridlock on U.S. Highway 71 southbound. I entered the roadway at 7:10 a.m. at Trafalger Road and if it wasn't for the traffic light there I would have been unable to enter the roadway because traffic was backed up past the interchange of Arkansas Highway 340.
It was exactly 8:10 a.m. when I cleared the light at County Road 40. The entire drive was very unpleasant to say the least -- we moved about 6 feet every two or three minutes.
This drive reminded me of the traffic on some streets in my original hometown of Chicago. Being retired it did not cost me anything to wait in line patiently. I wonder what the cost was to various companies for all the employees who were late for work that day.
I rarely complain about a problem unless I can offer some type of solution. What would it take to make the stretch of highway from the state line to County Road 40 right lane only for semi-trucks? Many of these trucks are fully loaded and it takes time for them gain speed.
Because this stretch of highway is a state road I am sure the state would have to approve this change. I call on the Bella Vista City Council and the mayor to petition the state to make this change.
I am sure that when the Bella Vista bypass is complete this problem will be minimized; however we all know that this may be at least five years into the future.
Wally Sheldon
Bella Vista
Editorial on 04/19/2017