Notice to Media

AHTD to Begin Acquiring Right of Way

for Highway 71 Relocation South of Texarkana

LITTLE ROCK (6-23) – Thanks in part to a recent announcement of additional federal funds coming to Arkansas for the Highway 71 Relocation Project, the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) will soon begin acquiring right of way for the new highway between Texarkana and Fouke.

According to Highway Commission member Prissy Hickerson of Texarkana, $2 million in federal discretionary funding is being provided to Arkansas specifically for the right of way acquisition. Though the Department requested $7 million for the project, Hickerson stated the $2 million is welcome and will be put to good use quickly.

"Right of way plans are being finalized now which will allow us to begin appraisals this summer," Hickerson said. "Affected residents will be contacted by AHTD Right of Way Division personnel in the near future. With this funding, it is anticipated the acquisition process can be completed between Texarkana and Fouke by mid-2000.

"Seeing the work underway from Loop 245 southward gets everyone excited," Hickerson noted. "But before the actual construction can take place, we have to buy the necessary property. People often forget that part of a project because it’s not very visible. But right of way acquisition is a vital step to get to construction," she commented.

"At this stage in the process, the availability of funding dictates the pace of the project. We will continue to pursue all avenues of federal funding for this project. As the funding becomes available, we are ready to put it to use, whether it’s to purchase right of way or begin the next phase of construction. Our goal is to get the first usable segment of the new highway from Texarkana to Fouke open to traffic as soon as possible," Hickerson concluded.

Residents with questions about the right of way appraisal and acquisition procedures should contact Jim Gaither with the AHTD’s Right of Way Division at 501-569-2311.

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