Key Takeaways
- • Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced $856,000 in combined state and local funding for six county unpaved road projects through the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program (AURP), with the state contributing more than $327,000 and local governments providing more than $529,000 in matching funds.
- • Infrastructure improvements focus on stormwater management and drainage enhancement across rural county roads, with specific projects in Calhoun County ($75,000), Dallas County ($50,248), and Independence County ($59,217), among others.
- • Projects include elevation of roadway segments ranging from 1,800 to 2,400 feet, installation of multiple culverts and cross pipes, and ditch reconstruction to manage water conveyance and reduce erosion on unpaved road systems.
- • The Department of Agriculture and Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward coordinated the initiative, emphasizing that county road infrastructure is critical for rural connectivity and economic activity in communities across the state.
Summary
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced funding allocations for six unpaved county road projects combining state and local resources totaling more than $856,000. The Department of Agriculture administered the grants through the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program (AURP), with state funding exceeding $327,000 supplemented by local matching contributions exceeding $529,000. The projects are designed to enhance stormwater management and improve drainage along county road systems serving rural communities.
Calhoun County received $75,000 to elevate 1,800 feet of roadway by 4.5 feet and install two 4-by-8-foot concrete box culverts plus six round culverts of varying sizes for improved water conveyance. Dallas County was allocated $50,248 to elevate 1,500 feet of roadway by 1 to 2 feet and install three 72-inch smooth-bottom arch culverts and ten 36-inch round culverts. Independence County received $59,217 for approximately 2,400 feet of roadway reconstruction using subsoil stabilization, U-shaped ditch reshaping with ditch checks, and eight 36-inch cross pipes to improve drainage systems.
Governor Sanders framed the investment as essential infrastructure maintenance for rural Arkansas, stating that "county roads are the critical infrastructure families use to drive every day to work, school, church, and home." Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward emphasized the collaborative nature of the funding structure, noting that "strong county infrastructure is essential for Arkansas communities, and these projects demonstrate what can be achieved when local and state partners work together." The AURP, established through Act 898 of the 90th General Assembly in 2015, provides grants specifically for environmentally responsible unpaved road maintenance projects, addressing erosion control and water management challenges in rural infrastructure systems.
Calhoun County received $75,000 to elevate 1,800 feet of roadway by 4.5 feet and install two 4-by-8-foot concrete box culverts plus six round culverts of varying sizes for improved water conveyance. Dallas County was allocated $50,248 to elevate 1,500 feet of roadway by 1 to 2 feet and install three 72-inch smooth-bottom arch culverts and ten 36-inch round culverts. Independence County received $59,217 for approximately 2,400 feet of roadway reconstruction using subsoil stabilization, U-shaped ditch reshaping with ditch checks, and eight 36-inch cross pipes to improve drainage systems.
Governor Sanders framed the investment as essential infrastructure maintenance for rural Arkansas, stating that "county roads are the critical infrastructure families use to drive every day to work, school, church, and home." Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward emphasized the collaborative nature of the funding structure, noting that "strong county infrastructure is essential for Arkansas communities, and these projects demonstrate what can be achieved when local and state partners work together." The AURP, established through Act 898 of the 90th General Assembly in 2015, provides grants specifically for environmentally responsible unpaved road maintenance projects, addressing erosion control and water management challenges in rural infrastructure systems.
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