Arkansas to Receive $2.3 Billion under Federal Transportation Bill - KAIT Jonesboro, AR - Region 8 News, weather, sports

JULY 29, 2005 - Posted at 4:34 p.m. CDT

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Arkansas would receive $2.3 billion over the next five years under the federal transportation spending bill working its way through Congress today.

The Arkansas delegation said that one of the key projects under the bill is $75 million for the Interstate 69 corridor including the Great River Bridge over the Mississippi River.

The state would receive 30 percent more under this bill than the previous highway bill.  For every tax dollar that Arkansas pays in for transportation projects, the state receives back $1.50.

All six of the members of Arkansas' bipartisan delegation said they worked together to make sure the state's interests were covered in the bill.

Highlights of the funding include $72 million to extend Interstate 530 from Pine Bluff to Wilmar, $37 million to build Interstate 49 and Highway 71 at the Bella Vista Bypass, $35 million to build 8th Street in Bentonville and $15 million to modify the Interstate 430/630 interchange in Little Rock.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)