Press Releases

Little Rock, Ark. — Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) congratulated Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde on the $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The Arkansas Department of Transportation was awarded a DOT Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant for Fiscal Year 2020. This grant money will bolster the $40 million Infrastructure For Rebuilding America grant that the Arkansas Department of Transportation was awarded in June. Together, these grants will support the reconstruction and improvement of two sections of U.S. Highway 67 northeast of Little Rock. In addition, the project will widen U.S. Highway 67 from four to six lanes, construct an overpass, convert frontage roads to one-way operation, and rebuild two interchanges.

“This is exciting news for Arkansas, for Pulaski County, and for the City of Little Rock. In central Arkansas, U.S. Highway 67 is an urban freeway, linking the residents of Cabot and Jacksonville with area employers, educational institutions, military facilities, retail centers, and leisure activities. This grant will help move people and commerce along this corridor faster and more safely and will support jobs in central Arkansas. With average daily traffic ranging from 34,000 to 53,000, the current condition of U.S. Highway 67 corridor in central Arkansas no longer meets travel demands, with deteriorated pavement conditions and outdated freeway specifications,” said Rep. Hill. “I was proud to support Judge Hyde’s and the state’s grant application and commend the U.S. Department of Transportation for investing in our state's transportation network, which will have a transformational effect on the area, benefitting generations to come.”

“Enhancing our transportation infrastructure is a priority for Pulaski County Government. I am thankful for the efforts of Senator Boozman, Senator Cotton, and Representative Hill, who encouraged the Department of Transportation to approve funding for upgrades to our infrastructure. These funds will advance our efforts for continued transportation improvements,” said Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde. 

“On behalf of the many road users that will benefit, the Arkansas Department of Transportation thanks our Congressional Delegation for their advocacy and support that was instrumental in the award of the BUILD Grants to Arkansas. The additional funding will expedite construction of these important projects,” said Lorie Tudor, Director, Arkansas Department of Transportation.

“This Administration is making significant investments in infrastructure, and this $1 billion in BUILD grants will repair, rebuild and revitalize transportation systems across America,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.