On Monday, I will participate in another road partnership by hosting a transportation summit with my neighbor to the south – newly elected Louisiana Congressman Rodney Alexander.    Before he was even sworn into office, Congressman Alexander and I pledged to work together to see that Highway 167 becomes a four-lane highway from Ruston to the Louisiana-Arkansas state line, where our districts meet.  In Arkansas, Highway 167 is already four-lane from El Dorado to the Arkansas-Louisiana line, and if Louisiana officials will expedite the four-laning of 167 from the Louisiana-Arkansas line to Ruston it will provide El Dorado with 4-lane access to an interstate, I-20 at Ruston.  On Monday, we will come together in Junction City with highway officials from our two states, as well as leaders from communities along Highway 167 to begin working on this important road improvement. 

I believe these kinds of partnerships are essential in getting results.  What good does it do to improve roads in Arkansas if that improvement stops at the state line?  It’s the same with other road projects.  Congressmen from south Louisiana and northern Missouri are all working to see that the final sections of I-49 in Arkansas are complete, because they know the end result will benefit all of us.  It’s not about building 5 miles of road; it’s about closing the gaps in our infrastructure that are halting our economic potential.

I am involved in coalitions like the I-49 Caucus, the I-69 Caucus, the Highway 167 transportation summit, and other coalitions to address the transportation needs in our very large district.  Reaching across party lines and working together is the best way to find common sense solutions to our problems and to get these roads built.   In doing so, we begin laying the groundwork for success.