Highway 167, which connects El Dorado in Southern Arkansas to Interstate 20 at Ruston, has already been four-laned in Arkansas and has been approved for expansion in Louisiana; however, the Louisiana work is not slated to begin until 2010.    

 “Commerce follows our roads and highways,” said Alexander. “By expediting the work to Highway 167 we can increase the flow of traffic between Ruston and El Dorado, bringing many economic opportunities along with that increased traffic. This work has already been approved, but the people of northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas shouldn’t have to wait another eight years for this project to get started. I’m glad that Congressman Ross and I could bring so many people involved in this project together today to reaffirm the importance of this work and the commitment of the community to seeing this development completed.”  

“I was pleased to see so many enthusiastic community leaders from Louisiana and Arkansas come together where our two states meet,” said Ross. “This kind of cooperation is key to increasing jobs and economic opportunity on both sides of the state line.   It’s not about paving a few extra miles of roadway; it’s about closing the gaps in our infrastructure that are halting our potential.  Right now Highway 167 from Ruston to the state line presents a huge gap and a missed opportunity for new commerce, new jobs, and new travelers in our region.  I would like to thank Congressman Alexander and all of today’s participants for their commitment to this project and to our future.”

The Summit, held today at the Senior Center in Junction City, focused on the economic benefits to be gained by both northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas by the expansion of U.S. Hwy 167. A crowd of approximately 350 residents and leaders from communities along the highway heard comments from Alexander, Ross, and other state and local officials including Arkansas Highway and Transportation Director Dan Flowers, who presented his justifications for speeding up the time table for highway construction on Highway 167 in Louisiana.

Other participants in Monday’s summit included Bill Temple, the Chief Engineer of the Louisiana Department of Transportation; Arkansas State Highway Commissioner Madison Murphy; Preston Rodgers, Mayor of Junction City, LA; Jerry Brewer, Mayor of Junction City, AR; AR State Senator Gene Jeffords; Dan Hollingsworth, Mayor of Ruston LA; LA State Representative Rick Gallot; Former AR State Representative Mark Smith; LA State Rep. Hollis Downs; LA State Rep. B.L. “Buddy” Shaw; LA Speaker of the House Charlie De Witt; Union County, AR Judge Bobby Edmonds; Jim Crotty, Mayor of Norphlet, AR; Columbia County, AR Judge John Blair; Union County, AR Sheriff Ken Jones; Margaret Rogers, Mayor of Dubach, LA; Minor Patton, Mayor of Bernice, LA; Mary Sue Farrar, Mayor of Farmerville, LA; Don Essmeier, Mayor of Jonesboro, LA; Deano Thornton, Mayor of Winnfield, LA; Jeremy Carter, Alderman for Junction City, AR; and a representative from U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.).