Rep. Boozman: "Highway Bill Will be a Huge Benefit to the Third District"

Press Release

Rep. Boozman: "Highway Bill will be a huge benefit to the Third District"
House passes compromise infrastructure bill containing almost $140 million designated for Third District projects

Rep. John Boozman (R-AR) today voted for the conference report for the Highway Bill, which contains close to $140 million in funding specifically designated for projects in the Third District of Arkansas.

"With almost $140 million headed toward projects in the area, the Highway Bill will be a huge benefit to the Third District," said Boozman.

The bill will allocate over $286 billion to our nation's highway and transit programs over the next six years. The "Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy For Users" (SAFETEA-LU), also commonly referred to as the Highway Bill, overwhelmingly passed the House by a vote of 412-8.

"This funding will provide some relief for Arkansas commuters by sending the state over two and a half billion dollars for repairs and construction to our highways, roads and transit programs," said Boozman. "Our region continues to be one of the fastest growing in the country and as such, our infrastructure needs to keep pace in order for us to sustain this growth. This funding will help our municipalities deal with the strain that has been placed on our infrastructure," said Boozman.

Arkansas is set to receive $2.3 billion over the next five fiscal years, or $476.4 million annually, from the Highway Bill to help address critical highway needs throughout the state. Arkansas will also receive additional money for the state's transit needs. In addition, the Third District of Arkansas is set to receive assistance for specific projects that have been earmarked in SAFETEA-LU (Editors note: a complete list of the Third District can be found below).

Boozman, who was on the committee that helped fashion the compromise bill, said after passage, "The Third District of Arkansas is the fifth fastest growing region in the country, which is why, as a Highway Bill conferee, I worked hard to ensure that our projects were well-funded. I am pleased that this bill is on its way to the President's desk so we can give Arkansas' infrastructure budget a much-needed shot in the arm."

Boozman also pointed to the job creation aspect of SAFETEA-LU as further reason why this bill is good news for Arkansas.

"For every $1 billion spent on transportation, 47,000 jobs are created which means close to 100,000 new jobs for Arkansans over the next six years," said Boozman.

3rd District Earmarks

* $37 million for construction of I-49, Highway 71: Arkansas portion of Bella Vista Bypass
* $35 million for study and construction of 8th St. in Bentonville from I-540 to SW Elm Tree Rd.
* $16 million for improvements to Johnson Road. From Hwy 412 to I-540 through Springdale and Johnson, Springdale, AR
* $9 million to construct and rehabilitate Fayetteville Expressway Economic Development Corridor
* $8.372 million for construction of a new interchange on I-540 near the existing Perry Road overpass Rogers, AR
* $7.2 million for improvements to Jenny Lind Rd. and Ingersoll, Fort Smith
* $7 million for construction of I-49, Highway 71: Highway 22 to Highway 71 near Jenny Lind, Fort Smith, AR
* $6.5 million for improvements to US 412 in Northwest Arkansas
* $3.6 million to widen and reconstruct Rena Road, Van Buren, Arkansas
* $3.2 million to construct and rehabilitate University of Arkansas Technology Corridor Enhancement Project
* $2.4 million for the Russellville Intermodal Facility construct access roads from AR Hwy 247, purchase Right-of-Way
* $1.5 million to widen AR Hwy 102 between US 71B and west city limits Bentonville
* $1.42 million to widen and improve I-540 and SH-102 Interchange, Bentonville
* $800,000 to replace and rebuild Tilly Willy Bridge, Washington County
* $640,000 for War Eagle Bridge Rehabilitation, Benton County
* $33,440 for the Trolley Barn, Harrison

In addition to the earmarks, the conference report included language to name the Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville as a University Transportation Center, guaranteeing it continued funding for the life of the bill.

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