TIGHT BUDGETS CREATE MAINTENANCE CHALLENGES FOR LOCAL LEADERS
(VIDEO) In small towns across Arkansas there is a constant effort to maintain existing roads and bridges. Most local leaders are doing this on a tight budget as they maximize their resources. As a great example, take two minutes to look at the issues in Independence County.
AS MAJOR COMMERCIAL PROJECTS NEAR COMPLETION IN JONESBORO, NO SLOWDOWN IS ANTICIPATED
Story by George Jarred, Talk Business & Politics, October 10, 2019 One measure for a vibrant local economy is the number of commercial real estate projects underway. In Jonesboro, the Embassy Suites by Hilton and Red Wolf Convention Center project is nearing completion and the new surgical tower on the St. Bernards medical campus should […]
LOCAL LEADERS SAY LOSS OF CURRENT ROAD FUNDING WOULD BE DEVASTATING
By Joe Quinn, Arkansas Good Roads Foundation Executive Director In many ways there are probably no Arkansas elected officials who have a better finger on the pulse of a community than a county judge or small town mayor. Spend some time wandering through a county courthouse, or a modest city hall that shares space with […]
ALL ROADS LEAD TO FOOTBALL
(Photo courtesy of the University of Arkansas) “We’re on our way to see the Hogs play!”Or the Red Wolves. Or the Bears, the Muleriders, the Golden Lions, the Wonder Boys, the Boll Weevils or a number of other college football teams in the Natural State. In autumn as reds, yellows and oranges paint the trees […]
U.S. LAGGING ON INFRASTRUCTURE FIXES, PANEL WARNS
By Frank E. Lockwood Arkansas Democrat-GazetteThursday, September 26, 2019 WASHINGTON — As a share of the overall economy, U.S. infrastructure spending is lower than it has been at any time since 1956, House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth, D-Ky., warned Wednesday. “Current infrastructure gaps are anticipated to cost the United States $3.9 trillion in [gross […]
ARKANSAS TO COMPLETE BELLA VISTA BYPASS PROJECTS BY MID-2021
By Jeff Della Rosa, Talk Business & Politics, August 1, 2019 Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. of Columbia, Mo., will build the final segments of the Bella Vista Bypass in Arkansas over the next two years. On Aug. 1, the Arkansas Highway Commission approved two bids submitted by Emery Sapp & Sons. Combined, the bids were […]
RAZORBACKS & ROADS: THEY’RE AMONG THE SUBJECTS JACKSONVILLE MAYOR BOB JOHNSON IS THOROUGHLY PASSIONATE ABOUT
By Bill Paddack Friendly and engaging, knowledgeable and forthcoming, Jacksonville Mayor Bob Johnson welcomes a visitor to City Hall on a June afternoon and is delighted to explain a story or two behind the Razorback memorabilia in his office. It’s a terrific time to be discussing University of Arkansas athletics. The day before, the Diamond […]
ON THE TRAIL TO THE FUTURE
Arkansas Bike Trails Driving Local Revenue and Vibrant Communities By Joe Quinn Brendan Quirk was selling bicycles on the internet when many Americans really didn’t understand you could buy anything online. He steadily grew Competitive Cyclist, his Little Rock-based bicycle business, for 12 years, and then sold it to backcountry.com. He moved his family to […]
REPLACEMENT WORK FOR 2 BRIDGES ON I-30 TO USE ‘BUILD, SLIDE’ METHOD FOR 1ST TIME
by Noel Oman The Arkansas Department of Transportation will use an accelerated construction method for the first time on a $12.6 million project to replace two small bridges on Interstate 30 crossing De Roche Creek, which marks the boundary between Hot Spring and Clark counties. Under the method, the new bridges will be constructed next […]
ROAD PANEL STUDIES WISH LIST; WORK ON I-30, I-40 AMONG PROJECTS IF TAX MADE PERMANENT
An eastbound semi-trailer truck rolls along Interstate 40 between Little Rock and Memphis. Photo by Bill Paddack By Noel Oman, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, June 13, 2019 The Arkansas Department of Transportation would spend nearly $500 million over 20 years to widen sections of Interstate 40 between North Little Rock and West Memphis, according to a draft […]