Committee forwards ARDOT train-info agreement after 911 integration clarification

The Finance and Administration Committee voted to forward Resolution 25-053 to the full City Council, authorizing a joint agreement with the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) for the Train for Mobility implementation project (Job 101237).

Council members asked for clarification about the scope and locations covered by the agreement. A city staff member, Craig, said the agreement is the same one the council approved roughly six weeks earlier but ARDOT requested language changes to several paragraphs. Craig said the revised language adds three items in the “whereas” and “city of shall” paragraphs, including a requirement that “the train info system works with the 9 11 system.” He said the crossings included in the agreement are at Old Nettleton Industrial Drive and at Airport Road and Neal Circle.

Craig described the train-info system’s function: it will detect trains on the track and notify motorists by roadway signage — either digital message boards or blinking lights — that a crossing is or will be closed. A key benefit staff emphasized is the system’s connection to the 911 dispatch system so emergency services will know ahead of time whether a crossing is open or closed.

Staff told the committee the agreement had previously been executed by the city and is being re-submitted to incorporate ARDOT’s requested changes. Committee members accepted that explanation and voted to forward the resolution to full council.

The motion to forward Resolution 25-053 carried; the meeting transcript does not specify the motion maker, seconder or a roll-call vote tally.