If you are a frequent driver through the intersection of Hwy. 43 and Cottonwood Roads, you probably noticed something happened with a light on Friday, April 11.
City Engineer Wade Phillips said a semi-truck took out the signal pole on the southeast corner of the intersection around 2 a.m. Friday morning.
Drivers came through the intersection during the dark, early morning hours without knowledge of the missing light, but crews were already on the scene assessing damage and working on a temporary plan.
The crew set the Hwy. 43 traffic signals to show flashing red lights on the remaining lights and set a stop sign for southbound Cottonwood traffic to temporarily convert the intersection to an all-way stop. The pole that was knocked down will have to be replaced, which could take some time. The Street Department is coordinating with a traffic signal contractor to implement the necessary repairs.
Until the repairs can be done, the intersection will operate as an all-way stop. In Arkansas, an all-way stop (also known as a four-way stop) requires all vehicles approaching the intersection to stop. After stopping, the driver must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle that has already entered the intersection or is approaching so closely as to pose an immediate hazard. If vehicles arrive simultaneously, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.