Little Rock Regional Chamber -

Little Rock Regional Chamber Endorses Six Lane with Collector/Distributor Lanes "Split Diamond" Configuration

Earlier this week at its 30 Crossing public meeting, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department presented four alternative configurations for Interstate 30 as it passes through downtown Little Rock. One of these options, formally known as the "six lane with collector/distributor lanes and split diamond interchange" option, is an exciting new design that would significantly benefit downtown Little Rock while also satisfying important safety and traffic movement objectives. This alternative is the result of the AHTD design team's collaboration over the past few months with a broad cross-section of community stakeholders to address concerns raised during the community outreach phase of project planning. Renderings of this option and other visual aids can be found at 30crossing.com.

Aspects of this new plan include:

1. Eliminating the long, elevated on/off ramp that runs east-west between 2nd and 3rd streets from the interstate to Cumberland, known as the 2nd Street interchange ramp, and replacing it with permanent green space, improving aesthetics and removing a major visual and pedestrian barrier.
2. Removing the cloverleaf exit ramp system into downtown and replacing it with green space on either side of the interstate in the River Market between Clinton Avenue and 3rd Street. This facilitates unencumbered east-west pedestrian access and provides the opportunity to fully connect the riverfront.
3. Raising the height of the interstate and removing all berms and barriers between the river and 3rd Street to allow clear views between the east and west sides of I-30.
4. Improving the existing at-grade frontage roads to facilitate flow of traffic to and from 4th Street, Capitol Avenue, 6th Street, and 9th Street, allowing people to conveniently access downtown from various points.
5. Retaining six through lanes of interstate traffic while adding local access collector/distributor lanes on either side that act as long entrance/exit ramps to feed into and away from the frontage roads at 4th and 9th Streets.
6. Reducing the width of the interstate as it passes over Clinton Avenue from 340 feet in the original plan to 230 feet - just 30 more feet on each side than exists today.
7. Transferring control of Cumberland between Clinton Avenue and 2nd Street from AHTD to the City of Little Rock, which allows the City to install traffic-calming measures and pedestrian-focused improvements at its discretion.
8. Widening the overpass bridges at 6th and 9th Streets to accommodate safer sidewalks and bike lanes.

Positive Change in Traffic Patterns
In addition to aesthetic improvements, this configuration would also shift the flow of through-traffic away from the heavy pedestrian zone in the River Market at the Clinton Avenue and Cumberland/LaHarpe intersection, instead dispersing the downtown-bound traffic into the city street grid via 4th, Capitol, and 6th, while those headed further west will have the choice of several route options, including Capitol or 6th to Cumberland onto Highway 10, Capitol or 6th to Chester, or even bypassing downtown altogether and take I-630 towards Chester or University. The benefit will be less reliance on the Clinton/Cumberland intersection, and those drivers who still choose that route will approach it at safer speeds as they will already be traveling along the street grid rather than exiting a high-speed interstate ramp.

A Minimally Invasive Construction Plan
A concern in any plan to replace the I-30 bridge is that during a long construction period, access will be choked off from downtown. An extended period of limited access to downtown could be extremely detrimental if not managed properly. This configuration allows for a staged construction of the bridge that maintains six lanes of traffic across the river throughout the construction period. Furthermore, because of the existing right-of-way footprint and the plan's use of frontage roads, very little additional right-of-way will be needed.

A Vision for the Future
We believe this new configuration represents a transformative approach that will reshape the way both vehicles and pedestrians utilize and navigate downtown Little Rock. The plan is holistic - addressing not only the long-term need for increased vehicular capacity and improved safety, but also our desire for a more pedestrian-friendly downtown and an improved quality of life and place. With the creation of approximately 14 acres of permanent green space and the shift of vehicular routes away from Clinton Avenue, our River Market District becomes even more of a showpiece than it is today. The Little Rock Regional Chamber supports the "six lane with collector/distributor lanes and split diamond interchange" configuration, and we applaud all those who provided suggestions, input, and alternatives over these many months of honest and healthy discussion.

AHTD has set up an online comment form. Please take a moment to submit your vote.