Notice to Media

Highway Commission to Hold Regional Meetings in Fort Smith and Springdale

March 2, 1998 -- The Arkansas State Highway Commission will hold regional public meetings in Fort Smith and Springdale next week to discuss highway issues, according to Highway Commission Chairman Bobby Hopper of Springdale.

The first meeting in the area will be held Monday, March 9, in the Breedlove Auditorium on the Westark College campus, 5210 Grand Avenue, at 7:00 p.m. The following night, Tuesday, March 10, the Commission will meet with the public at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel at the Jones Center for Families, 922 East Emma Avenue, in Springdale. The meetings are two of 16 scheduled by the Commission in January, February and March.

The Commission will also tour the Highway 71 Relocation Project and other area projects Tuesday beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon.

The purpose of the meetings is to solicit public involvement in the highway improvement process. The meetings 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 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 especially want to hear what the public believes is the most appropriate method of funding highway improvements."

Another west Arkansas regional meeting by the Highway Commission will be held March 19 in Mena.

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For Further Information Contact:

Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
10324 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR 72209
Tel: 501-569-2000
FAX: 501-569-2400
e-mail: info@arkansashighways.com