(Washington, D.C.) Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, along
with Congressmen Marion Berry (AR-01), Vic Snyder (AR-02), John Boozman
(AR-03) and Mike Ross (AR-04), today announced Arkansas will receive $2.3
billion over the next 5 fiscal years, or $476.4 million annually, from
the Transportation Reauthorization Bill to help address critical highway
and transportation needs throughout the state. The bill passed the
House of Representatives Friday, and is expected to pass the Senate before
the end of the week.
Members of the Congressional delegation said the $286 billion transportation
bill will help address critical infrastructure needs that are not currently
being met, spur economic development and create jobs, increase safety and
anticipate future highway needs. According to the United States Department
of Transportation, every $1 billion investment in our highways results
in 47,500 jobs annually.
“This bill will allow significant investment and progress to be made
on our roads and highways in every pocket of the state,” Pryor said. “It
will pay off in dividends for our economy and quality of life in Arkansas.”
“This bill is desperately needed by our communities in Arkansas because
when we invest in highway and infrastructure projects, we create jobs,”
Lincoln said. “The projects this bill will fund are long overdue
and are vital to our state’s economy and the well-being of the entire region.”
"After close to three years of debate, I am pleased to see Congress
finally come to an agreement on a highway bill," Berry said. "Our delegation
stuck together through it all and secured significant investments for our
state. I am excited about this news and am confident that these projects
will help Arkansas make long overdue improvements to our transportation
system."
“Funding for transportation and infrastructure is very good news for
the safety and convenience of Arkansans driving on our highways,” said
Snyder.
"The Third District of Arkansas is one of the fastest growing regions
in the country, which is why, as a Highway Bill conferee, I worked hard
to ensure that our projects were well-funded. I am pleased that this
bill is on its way to the President's desk so we can give Arkansas' infrastructure
budget a much-needed shot in the arm," said Boozman.
"After eleven extensions of the Transportation Reauthorization Bill
since October 2003, we have passed a long overdue roadmap for transportation
funding in America," said Ross. "This funding will go a long way
in meeting Arkansas's extensive road needs. As an economic ambassador
for Arkansas, I am proud to have helped secure the funding throughout the
course of the lengthy transportation reauthorization process. This
funding will be used to create new highways and roads, repair dilapidated
infrastructure and create jobs and economic opportunities for the future."
Delegation members were able to secure specific funding for the following
projects:
1st District
$13 million Northeast Arkansas Connector (relocation of Highway
226) in Jonesboro – designated as a high priority corridor
$9 million Caraway Bridge Overpass in Jonesboro
$5.4 million I-40/Highway 89 Interchange Planning and Construction in
Lonoke
$3.8 million Highway 77 Rail Grade Separation in Marion
$3.6 million Highway 165 Railroad Overpass in Stuttgart
$2.6 million Highway 412 from Baxter County to Ash Flat
$1 million Highway 412: Paragould South Bypass
2nd District
$15 million Interstate 430/630 Interchange Modification in Little Rock
$6.96 million Rehabilitating and widening Highway 67 from four to six
lanes from Kiehl Avenue to Vandenberg Blvd
in Jacksonville, AR.
$2.4 million Western Loop in Conway for engineering, rights-of-way,
relocations, and continued planning and design
$2.3 million Interchange in Maumelle
$8 million Rail grade separations identified by the MPO for the Little
Rock/North Little Rock metro area, which may include
Edison Avenue, Springer Boulevard, Highway 89 extension;
McCain/Fairfax; Salem Road
$1.2 million Interstates 30/440/530 Interchanges for interchange improvements
in Little Rock
$1.2 million Highway 65 improvements in Van Buren County, including
construction of passing lanes, bridge improvements, intersection
improvements and other roadway improvements
$160,000 Take it to the Edge River Trail: Construction of an 11 mile
pedestrian and bicycle trail extending from the Clinton
Presidential Library in East Little Rock along the Arkansas
River to Pinnacle Mountain State Park at the western end of the city
limits
$2.75 million Central Arkansas Transit Authority Facility Upgrades
3rd District
$8.372 million Construct new interchange on I-540 near the existing
Perry Road overpass Rogers, AR
$7 million Construction of I-49, Highway 71: Highway 22 to Highway
71 near Jenny Lind, Fort Smith, AR
$7.2 million Improvements to Jenny Lind Rd. and Ingersoll, Fort
Smith
$3.6 million Widen and reconstruct Rena Road, Van Buren, Arkansas
$2.4 million Russellville Intermodal Facility construct access
roads from AR Hwy 247, purchase Right-of-Way
$16 million Improvements to Johnson Road. From Hwy 412 to I-540
through Springdale and Johnson, Springdale, AR
$9 million Construct and rehabilitate Fayetteville Expressway
Economic Development Corridor
$3.2 million Construct and rehabilitate University of Arkansas
Technology Corridor Enhancement Project
$6.5 million Improvements to US 412 in Northwest Arkansas
$1.42 million Widen and improve I-540 and SH-102 Interchange,
Bentonville
$37 million Construction of I-49, Highway 71: Arkansas portion
of Bella Vista Bypass
$1.5 million Widen AR Hwy 102 between US 71B and west city limits
Bentonville
$640,000 War Eagle Bridge Rehabilitation, Benton County
$800,000 Replace and rebuild Tilly Willy Bridge, Washington Co.
$33,440 Trolley Barn, Harrison
$35 million Study and Construction of 8th St. in Bentonville from I-540
to SW Elm Tree Rd.
In addition to the earmarks, the conference report included language
to name the Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center at the University of Arkansas,
Fayetteville as a University Transportation Center, guaranteeing it continued
funding for the life of the bill.
4th District
$10 million East-West Arterial: Highway 70 to Highways 5/7, Hot
Springs, AR
$6.56 million Improve State Highway 88 (Higdon Ferry Road) in
Hot Springs, Arkansas
$3.168 million Develop a railroad overpass connecting U.S. Highway 67
and U.S. Highway 371, Prescott, AR
$2 million Widening of Highway 65/82: Pine Bluff-Greenville Bridge
$2 million Highway 167: Fordyce to Sheridan Bypass, AR
$5 million Widen to four lanes, improvement, and other development
to US Hwy 167 from LA state line north
$3 million Develop U.S. Highway 71 (I-49) to Interstate standards
on new location between Mena, AR and LA state line
$3.2 million Widen to five lanes, improvement and other development
to US Hwy 79B/University Ave. in Pine Bluff
$1.672 million Wilmar Development of SE AR Intermodal Facility
$72 million Construction of I-530 between Pine Bluff and Wilmar
$75 million I-69 Corridor, including the Great River Bridge
$50 million Planning, design, and construction of I-69 in Texas,
Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky,
and Indiana (funding will be divided among the seven states).
|