I-49, infrastructure funding focus of Arkansas legislative committee meeting

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Bipartisan work in the U.S. Congress above divisive politics and a broader appreciation for the national importance of Interstate 49 through western Arkansas are needed to deliver more funding for I-49 and other infrastructure projects in the state.

Such was part of the message from U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, and Arkansas Highway Commissioner Keith Gibson. The two were in Fort Smith Thursday (Oct. 3) for a meeting of transportation committees of the Arkansas House of Representatives and the Arkansas Senate. The committees met jointly at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education Research Institute.

During a morning meeting, the legislators heard from the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) about ongoing efforts to build I-49 in the Fort Smith metro and other parts of western Arkansas.

I-49, infrastructure funding focus of Arkansas legislative committee meeting