The Bradley County Quorum Court met Monday, August 17, for it’s regularly scheduled meeting with two members absent. They heard a proposal regarding the possible rerouting of heavy truck traffic through Warren during its recent meeting, along with updates on a $187,000 generator grant, road projects and other county business.
Dr. Matthew Pelkki, a professor at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and director of the Arkansas Center for Forest Business, addressed the court regarding a proposed project designed to reroute trucks serving the Ouachita Hardwood mill away from the Gannaway Street residential area.
The proposal is being developed in conjunction with the city of Warren and Bradley County and would include improvements to several roads and drainage structures.
During public comment, Carol Little stated she had lived near Gannaway Street for approximately 20 years before moving to the area where the proposed reroute would be located expressed concerns about pedestrian safety.
Under the proposal, the mill’s existing gate on Gannaway Street would be relocated, reducing the number of trucks traveling through the residential neighborhood.
Pelkki said officials are also working toward potentially rerouting trucks coming from the north so they could travel around the city and access Clingman Road and U.S. 278 without entering Warren’s city limits.
The proposed project would include widening curves as well as improvements on Clingman and Pennington streets. A forestry engineer will work with McClelland Engineering to ensure the curves are wide enough for two trucks to pass safely.
Drainage and erosion-control improvements also are included in the proposal. Pelkki said several existing culverts are undersized and prone to flooding, and engineers would work to replace or improve those structures.
Pelkki said the project would benefit both the community and Ouachita Hardwood, which employs approximately 83 people and ships an estimated $30 million worth of wood products annually.
He said reducing congestion around the mill could improve truck turnaround times, reduce transportation costs and help support future growth.
The proposed project is dependent on a grant application to the Delta Regional Authority.
County officials emphasized that the grant has not yet been awarded and there is no guarantee the project will move forward.
The Quorum Court also heard an update on a $187,000 state grant awarded to Bradley County for a generator project.
County Judge Klay McKinney stated the grant requires a 25 percent in-kind match, which would amount to approximately $47,000.
McKinney said the generator would help maintain courthouse operations during power outages and severe weather events.
The county has discussed the need for backup power at the courthouse for several years. Officials said the project is particularly important because the courthouse is a critical county facility and must remain operational during emergencies.
County officials expressed appreciation for the grant while noting that equipment and installation costs have increased substantially since the project was initially developed.
McKinney provided the Quorum Court with updates on several ongoing county projects.
McKinney said the county continues to work on road striping, with approximately 30,000 to 35,000 feet of road markings completed annually. Dry weather has provided favorable conditions for additional road work.
The county also continues preparations for additional phases of landfill development, including access roads and related infrastructure.
McKinney said the legal paperwork for another landfill cell was recently completed after months of delays. A portion of the cell has already been filled, with additional work remaining.
Other projects discussed included drainage improvements, a sewer pond project and access roads.
The Quorum Court also discussed recent fires and the importance of maintaining adequate firefighting resources during the current dry conditions.
The Bradley County Quorum Court continued with other county business before adjourning. The next Bradley County Quorum Court meeting will be Monday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m.
