Notice to Media

Highway Commission Schedules Series of Regional Meetings

December 23, 1997 – The Arkansas State Highway Commission has scheduled a series of public meetings on highway issues, according to Bobby Hopper, Chairman of the Arkansas State Highway Commission.

The purpose of the meetings is to solicit public involvement in the highway improvement process. A total of 16 meetings have been scheduled, the first of which will be held January 6 in Jonesboro. Other meetings are planned in Pine Bluff, Harrison, Dumas, West Memphis, Texarkana, Russellville, El Dorado, Monticello, Hot Springs, Batesville, Fort Smith, Springdale, Forrest City, Mena, and Little Rock.

The meetings will consist of a brief presentation on the current condition and future needs on the State Highway System followed by comments from the audience. People who choose not to speak at a meeting will be given the opportunity to present their comments or suggestions in writing.

The Commission has previously reported that the state has about $7 billion in highway needs facing it in the next 10 years, yet only anticipates having about $3 billion available from current federal and state revenue sources to address those needs. "The Commission wants the general public to understand the current situation," Hopper stated. "It is important that the public understands that current funding for highway improvements is not, and has not been for some time, providing the revenues necessary to keep pace with our growing highway needs."

"The citizens of Arkansas are interested in good highways and many of them have specific projects in mind they would like to see completed," Hopper said. "The Commission appreciates that interest and would like to hear from the public which projects they believe are important and which services the Department can provide to improve transportation in Arkansas. We also want to hear what the public believes is the most appropriate method of funding highway improvements."

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