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Residents relate fear of truck traffic on mountain highways

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Families living in the Boxley area are concerned about the growing amount of truck traffic on the area's mountain highways, according to public comments heard at the Newton County Quorum Court's regular meeting held Monday night, Jan. 6.
During the meeting's time allotted to hear comments from the public, a spokesperson for residents of the area that includes state Highway 21, above its intersection with state Highway 43, as well as state Highway 103, said he has lived at Mossville and the area for 55 years. He said he has seen the increase in truck traffic on those highways. Truck crashes on the steep and winding roads are becoming more frequent. One took place about two weeks ago and "wiped out everything," the man said. It is not uncommon to see trucks off of both sides of the road. "It's a matter of concern."
After contacting the state highway department in Little Rock, the governor's office and state Rep. Steven Walker the man said he was led to the quorum court.
The man said he is not against commerce and he acknowledged the state has installed break check areas on the highways. "These guys ( truck drivers) don't know how to gear down." A lot of lives and property have been lost, he said.
JP Terry Clark, who represents that area, said the quorum court can be of assistance by passing a resolution outlining the problems and asking the Arkansas Department of Transportation to come up with some remedies. The resolution would first be forwarded to the District Engineer's Office in Harrison.
Such actions have precedence. Boone County received assistance from the highway department in the past when it cited unsafe conditions resulted in a fatality at the intersection of state Highways 7 and 206 which resulted in lowering the speed limit, and installing rumble strips and caution signals. In another situation after a fatality, a turning lane and signals were added at the U.S 62-65 interchange at Bellefonte. The county had to appropriate some funds towards the projects.
Clark said the residents have a legitimate concern. "For some reason, they wreck in threes," over a short space of time.
The JP noted a camera was installed at Edwards Junction at Highways 21 and 16 where the highway department can monitor traffic passing through that area.
JP Arlis Jones suggested truck traffic other than those making local deliveries be prohibited from these areas.
Deputy Prosecutor Ben Fruehauf, IV, suggested the sheriff' park an unused patrol vehicle in the area to mimic surveillance of traffic in a ploy to slow down vehicles.
A first responder from Johnson County said the same problem is being experienced there on state Highway 21. He said truck drivers are using their personal electronic devices to download GPS maps to give them the shortest route to their destinations and are recommended to use the highway coming in from Newton County.
Clark made a motion that the court develop a resolution to present to the highway department.
County Judge Warren Campbell said he would contact the highway department to learn of the options available.
Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler attended the meeting. He told the Times he had already contacted Arkansas State Police about increasing the frequency of patrols in those areas of the highways mentioned.

Budget adjustments made for 2025

The quorum court passed several ordinances making final adjustments to the 2025 county operating budget approved by the quorum court at its December meeting.
The sheriff's office budget was amended by ordinance 25-1, transferring from the 2025 budget into the 2024 budget the amount of $45,000. The transfer is to provide funding to pay 2024 unpaid bills.
This also amends last month's ordinance 24-25, Labor Account 3493-4001001, to the amount of $155,000 instead of the $200,000 originally appropriated. Beginning April 2025 $70,000 from the labor account will be transferred into the jail and sheriff's fund.



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