Notice to Media

HIGHWAY PROGRESS CONTINUES - RECORD BID OPENING SCHEDULED

LITTLE ROCK (5-14) – The Arkansas Highway Commission will open bids for 60 construction projects worth an estimated record setting $180.9 million on Wednesday, May 16. The bid letting includes about $135 million for projects designated under the Interstate Rehabilitation Program (IRP), a five-year improvement program approved by voters in 1999.

“We implemented a very ambitious construction schedule after the Arkansas voters approved the bond issue,” stated Commission Chairman John Lipton. “Our plan is to have all the IRP work underway in three years and completed in five. We are in the second year of the program and on track with that schedule.”

Under the IRP, approximately 380 miles of Interstate highways will be rehabilitated or reconstructed at a total cost of nearly $1 billion. Over $364 million in IRP contracts have been awarded thus far, covering 172 miles of Interstate. The May 16 bid opening includes another seven contracts totaling 50 miles.

To assist motorists with the latest information on the increased highway construction program, the Department recently initiated the “Pave The Way” public awareness campaign.  The cornerstone of the campaign is a website, www.ArkansasInterstates.com, where information on daily lane closures, estimated travel times, and alternate routes can be found.

“With over 200 Interstate miles to be under construction this summer and nearly 300 by the next summer, it’s important that we keep motorists as informed as possible,” said Dan Flowers, Director of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. “We can’t eliminate the inconvenience, but if we can help motorists to think ahead about the amount of construction taking place and encourage them to plan properly, we may be able to keep the frustration level down. Focusing on the end result of a much improved highway system also helps.”

The five largest bid lettings in the history of the Highway Department have all occurred since the IRP was initiated, including a record $147.8 million in May, 2000.  Prior to the IRP, the Department’s largest bid letting was $80.4 million in May of 1994.

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