Berry Brings Key Transportation Programs To Arkansas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Representative Marion Berry (D-AR, 1^st) last night finished guiding through several transportation projects for Arkansas as the house passed the 2004 fiscal year Treasury and Transportation Appropriations bill.

“Northeast Arkansas’ growth is reliant upon our ability to provide adequate transportation for existing companies and to lure new employers to the area,” said Berry. “Our transportation needs in Arkansas include necessary improvements to roads, airports and public transportation. I know this year’s funding will help us achieve our transportation goals, but I am levelheaded enough to know there is much more to do.”

The legislation includes several projects for Arkansas’ First Congressional District including $1 million for the purchase of a new instrument landing system for Baxter County Regional Airport; $1 million to build the Caraway Bridge Overpass in Jonesboro; and $1.5 million to widen more than 4 miles of Highway 412 to four lanes.

Baxter County Regional Airport Instrument Landing System (ILS)

o       This project will provide funds to purchase an ILS System which will greatly increase use and safety of the Baxter County Regional Airport. Currently, it is difficult for a plane to land if visibility is hampered in any way – the new system will permit those planes to land safely despite less-than-ideal visibility. 

Caraway Bridge Overpass; Jonesboro, Arkansas

o       This project will provide a grade-separated intersection over the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroads, pedestrian bridges, widened roads and other means to eliminate pedestrian, vehicle and rail traffic conflicts.  The grade separations will improve safety for pedestrians and automobile traffic in Jonesboro and around the Arkansas State University campus.

Highway 412: Baxter County to the Sharp County Line

o       This project is for the widening of a 4.2 mile section of Highway 412 to four lanes from Mountain Home to Highway 101 in Baxter County.  The project is one of many that will improve Highway 412 from the Oklahoma state line to the Missouri state line.  Highway 412 in Arkansas is part of Congressionally-designated High Priority Corridor 8.

“Improvements to Highway 412 is a necessary step in the expansion of those towns close to it,” said Bill Brewer, a member of the Northeast Arkansas Good Roads Committee. “Widening roads promotes safety and will increase use – the funds that Representative Berry has secured for this project will only help as Arkansas continues to grow.”

The full list of transportation projects follows. Projects labeled “Priority Status” do not yet have a specific dollar amount associated with them. If, when signed into law, those projects remain “Priority Status” the Transportation Department will determine how much funds each is entitled to.

FY 2004 TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS