The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) will hold a Design Public Hearing in Texarkana to discuss plans for improvements to Highway 71, according to AHTD officials.

            The meeting will be held Thursday, December 15, 2005, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Cathedral Heights Church of the Nazarene, 4010 Fairground Drive , in Texarkana .

            Plans call for relocating Highway 71 on new location beginning at Loop 245 near Arkansas Boulevard and extending northeastward to Interstate 30.  The new roadway will be a four-lane divided facility. A separate project in the future will extend the new roadway from Interstate 30 north and westward back to existing Highway 71.

            Also at the meeting, the AHTD will present displays and take comments on plans for improvements in the vicinity of the interchange at Highway 71/Loop 245 and Highway 82.  The improvements will consist of construction of new ramps and an overpass on 19^th St reet .  This will create a single interchange that will serve both Highway 82 and 19^th St reet .

The public is invited to visit anytime during the scheduled hours to view displays, ask questions and offer comments. 

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