Local input 'significant' in Beaver Bridge decision

BEAVER - The prominence and perseverance of public outcry against building a new bridge across Table Rock Lake at Beaver was a significant factor in the decision to adopt the "do nothing" option, according to the environmental assessment (EA) for the project released last week.

"A vast majority of the local residents are not in favor of any of the proposed build alternatives, as they believe that any replacement for the existing bridge will degrade the quality of life not only for those adjacent to the new facility, but for the community as a whole," states the "reasonable alternatives" section of the report. "Most local residents appreciate the traffic calming provided by the one-lane bridge and by the reduced speed curves along Hwy. 187. Stop sign controls at each approach to the one-lane bridge currently limit vehicular speeds across the bridge, and along immediately adjacent sections of Hwy. 187.

"The public is concerned that a new two-lane bridge will bring localized increase in speeds and truck traffic along Hwy. 187, and a degradation in the quality of life in the valley, more than they are concerned over safety related to the functionally obsolete bridge," the EA continues.

"All six reasonable alternatives will likely result in measurable impacts to the visual and aesthetic qualities of the environment as experienced by one or more of the following population groups: town residents, users of the town's walking trail, tourists and drivers along old Hwy. 187, and residents of Beaver Meadows."

Voices heard

Tracy Hill, project manager for Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jergin (PBS&J), the Miami, Fla., consulting firm hired to conduct the environmental assessment for the project, told the Citizen Tuesday that citizen input was a significant factor in the final decision.

"Ultimately there were three factors: the cost, the environmental impact and the public's comments," Hill said. "If the fix would have been inexpensive, then perhaps another decision would have been forthcoming, regardless of the public's wants. But as it was, with all things as they were, the citizens' concerns were a major factor."

Included in the EA were a number of letters to the editor from both the Citizen and the Carroll County News, a 2003 Eureka Springs Times-Echo opinion piece by former Beaver resident Flo Fitzsimmons and a Citizen report following a July 2005 public meeting in which Roy Highberg of PBSJ said "all options, including doing nothing," were still on the table, with "no option preferred." Highberg placed cost ranges from $9-to-$17 million.

"This is no superhighway being proposed here," he said at the time. "We're designing a 40-mile-per-hour road. And we know of no endangered species near any of these alternatives. We are well aware of the heron rookery and have made alternative plans based on your concerns. We're still interested in your concerns."

And heard

The EA also provided a "Citizens' Comment Summary from the July public meeting. It stated that of a total of 46 written comments received during the 15-day period following the meeting, 19 listed the "No Build" option as "first choice."

A summary of the major issues raised in the written comments included the following entries:

* Respect the wishes of the community. * The community does not want a truck route through it. * A new, modern bridge would be a monstrosity in a community of nostalgia and tranquillity. * This is the fourth public meeting at which the AHTD/consultants demonstrated no regard whatsoever for the desires of the community. * The project will change tourism and associated economic conditions in Beaver, Elk Ranch, Eureka Springs and western Carroll County. All-around safety concerns

"The desire to replace the existing historic but functionally obsolete bridge is obvious from a transportation efficiency, public safety, and maintenance cost standpoint," the conclusion of the assessment states in part. "Reasonable alternatives have been identified to replace the function of the existing bridge while leaving it in place; however, those options have not been well received by local residents."

The report also acknowledges safety issues raised by building a bridge, specifically without spending money on Hwy. 187 on either side of the new structure.

"Indirectly, the construction of a truck-capable bridge along Hwy. 187 near Beaver would have the potential to increase safety issues along the remaining, unaltered portions of this narrow, winding roadway. In many locations, especially at the sharp curves and at locations with cliffs on one side and steep dropoffs on the other, the current roadway is not wide enough for a vehicle to comfortably pass an oncoming bus or tractor-trailer. The state would have to widen the pavement and shoulders, rebuild the sharp curves and install guard rails along steep drops in order to upgrade Hwy. 187 into a facility capable of handling trailer trucks."

Decision

The EA contained the following entry labled "Conclusion:"

Backed by the analyses contained in the remainder of this EA, and by the detailed supporting information upon which this EA is based, the AHTD [Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department] favors the No-Build Alternative for the proposed Table Rock Reservoir Structure and Approaches Project (No. 090100). The major factors influencing this decision include:

1. The relatively small traffic volumes (less than 1,000 vehicles per day) and large project costs (between $7.4 and $16.3 million) associated with replacement of the functionally obsolete bridge;

2. The magnitude of the environmental impacts resulting from the length of the approach roadways and the deep cuts necessary to pass through the hilly terrain on both sides of the lake; and

3. The lack of support from the local residents for reasonable alternatives.