Highway 5 widening plan aims to improve Interstate 30 traffic flow in Bryant
BRYANT, Ark. -The Arkansas Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration recently proposed a plan to widen a section of Highway 5 in Bryant.
The project would widen a 3.2-mile stretch of Highway 5 in Bryant from Reynolds Road to Alexander Road to four lanes with the aim of making traffic flow easier on Interstate 30. A public comment meeting for the project was held Tuesday afternoon.
Locals react to White County train incident that caused highway closure, evacuation
ARDOT officials said the project includes a side path, sidewalk and an upgrade to the Bryant Parkway traffic signal among other updates.
Nova Williams lives on Highway 5 and said the proposed construction will impact her home.
“We built that house 56 years ago and I’ve been there all this time,” Williams noted.
She added that when the construction takes place, it will back up to her front door.
“We’re wanting to know if they’re going to want my house or not or just part of my yard,” Willaims said.
According to an environmental assessment, there are five homeowners, four residential tenants, seven businesses, 10 landlord businesses and 65 personal properties that could be displaced.
Ellen Coulter with ARDOT said they’re working toward a solution on a case-by-case basis.
“ARDOT’s environmental division that puts on these public meetings they have a special section that handles all of that relocation when it’s needed for homes and businesses and we work out a deal and help them out,” Coulter said.
Pine Bluff set to receive over $500,000 from feds for downtown highway retrofit
They’ve been taking public comment and adapting the proposed plan so far. For example, some wanted a traffic light on Midland Road and now this new version of the plan includes it.
“It’s a really important project, A, just because this road is really due for a widening, and B, because it’s a really important alternate route to I-30 when I-30 is backed up,” Coulter said.
Lisa Floyd has a business on the highway that won’t have to be relocated, but changes will be made.
“The business will stay and I own a house next door, and the sewer will be impacted a little so we’ve got to figure out what we’re doing to do,” Floyd said.
She also has a meeting with representatives to discuss her options. Living in Bryant her whole life, she said she’s watched it change, and understands why ARDOT says it is needed.
“Bryant has just outgrown all the traffic, you know we’ve got to have it to make it more manageable because right now you can’t get through if there is a wreck,” Floyd said.
ARDOT officials said construction is set to start in mid-2026 and last about two and a half years.
Officials noted the current construction on I-30 and this proposed highway construction won’t overlap.
Construction on Highway 67/167 corridor in Jacksonville running ahead of schedule
More information on the project can be read online.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
