Frustration Over Big Rock Interchange Change-Up
By: Josh Berry
Updated: February 17, 2013
Major pains in the necks already happening for central Arkansans forced to make their way into West Little Rock at the Big Rock Interchange.
Traffic back-ups and even a wreck led to frustration on the first day of major shifts.
The major shifts happened early Sunday (2/17) morning at 6 a.m. before many people hit the road.
If you didn't like this area before you're probably not going to be any happier now, especially considering this is going to last through summer.
All the signs point to change. The message boards all letting you know your commute just got a detour.
Student, Re Rochelle commutes to school every day through what he calls a mess. He argues the latest shifts will only make it worse.
"What it's doing is causing total congestion."
From all directions I-630, Financial Centre Parkway, and Shackleford Road had some sort of mix up over the weekend.
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) says there are three main changes that went into effect early Sunday morning.
AHTD Traffic engineer Mark Lyons said, "Don't expect it to be like it was the day before."
Westbound 630 lanes make a dramatic shift to new pavement about a mile before Shackleford. Drivers can't access 630 westbound from Baptist Health. The biggest change may just be that you can't make a left turn going west on 630 to south on Shackleford.
Since you can't take the left turn they suggest taking the 430 south exit from 630 -- getting on 430 and then taking the first Shackleford/Kanis exit.
Drivers say all these changes presented quite the challenge especially at the Shackleford/Financial Center intersection.
"It was harder to make sure and figure out you were in the right lane," said one driver. "You don't have time to get over and you're gonna have wrecks right there."
Drivers, stuck with how it is now through the Summer, just hope it will all pay off in the end.
Rochelle said, "I guess we're paying for it now to have a greater reward in the end."
The entire $125 million construction project will last at least through 2014.
Traffic back-ups and even a wreck led to frustration on the first day of major shifts.
The major shifts happened early Sunday (2/17) morning at 6 a.m. before many people hit the road.
If you didn't like this area before you're probably not going to be any happier now, especially considering this is going to last through summer.
All the signs point to change. The message boards all letting you know your commute just got a detour.
Student, Re Rochelle commutes to school every day through what he calls a mess. He argues the latest shifts will only make it worse.
"What it's doing is causing total congestion."
From all directions I-630, Financial Centre Parkway, and Shackleford Road had some sort of mix up over the weekend.
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) says there are three main changes that went into effect early Sunday morning.
AHTD Traffic engineer Mark Lyons said, "Don't expect it to be like it was the day before."
Westbound 630 lanes make a dramatic shift to new pavement about a mile before Shackleford. Drivers can't access 630 westbound from Baptist Health. The biggest change may just be that you can't make a left turn going west on 630 to south on Shackleford.
Since you can't take the left turn they suggest taking the 430 south exit from 630 -- getting on 430 and then taking the first Shackleford/Kanis exit.
Drivers say all these changes presented quite the challenge especially at the Shackleford/Financial Center intersection.
"It was harder to make sure and figure out you were in the right lane," said one driver. "You don't have time to get over and you're gonna have wrecks right there."
Drivers, stuck with how it is now through the Summer, just hope it will all pay off in the end.
Rochelle said, "I guess we're paying for it now to have a greater reward in the end."
The entire $125 million construction project will last at least through 2014.
