Members of the Alexander Planning Commission heard a report from Chairman Michael Huck concerning the completion of a traffic count study provided by the city’s Street Department Superintendent David Durham. The traffic counts were taken at the end of both 2019 and 2020.
Establishing how much traffic passes various points in Alexander will be included in the Planning Development Report being written by Metroplan. The report will also provide Alexander’s vital statistics including a breakdown of the population, income levels, housing, businesses, and available utilities.
Once the Planning Development Report is completed, the planning commission will begin the process of writing a comprehensive development plan to be used as a guide towards future development in the city. The process will involve public meetings to gather input from city residents.
In 2019 traffic counters were placed in three locations from October 20 to October 27. Location-1 was on State Highway 111 (South Alexander Rd.) just north of Jason Dr.; registering a daily average of 4,825 vehicles. Location-2 was on State Highway 111 (South Alexander Rd.) north of Saint Joseph’s Glen Dr.; producing a daily average of 7,866. Finally, Location-3 on State Highway 111 north of Cornerstone Rd., had a daily average 10,934. (See map below.) Huck noted that’s approximately a 3,000 vehicle increase between each counter.
In 2020 two traffic counters were deployed between November 11 (Veteran’s Day) and November 18. One was placed at the same Location-3 as in 2019. This time the daily average was 11,928; up 994 from 2019. A new location, State Highway. 111 and 2nd St. (Location-4), showed a daily average of 9,125.
Two counters were placed from December 21, to December 30 in 2020. After 14 months Location-1 was counted again showing a daily average of 5,570, up 745 vehicles from 2019.
The second counter was deployed at a new location on Brookwood Rd. at the Shobe Rd. intersection near the railroad tracks. Labeled Location-5 on the map, a daily average of 2,175 vehicles was recorded. Commission member Stephanie Beck noted schools were closed that week, which means the count should be higher because there wasn’t any school traffic in that count.
Huck said the traffic counts have been sent to Metroplan but writing the Planning Development Report will be delayed. He said Metroplan staffers are currently involved in developing a set of generic zoning laws for small Arkansas municipalities. Once that is completed Huck said they will begin writing the report.
Metroplan is a quasi government agency dedicated to providing general planning, mapping, and technical assistance to local governments in Central Arkansas. It’s major role is to work with local governments, the Arkansas Department of Transportation, and local transit providers to determine transportation needs and funding priorities for Federal transportation investments. Alexander pays an annual fee to be a member of Metroplan, allowing the city to take advantage of its services.
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