LITTLE ROCK (12-19) The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) will hold Location Public Hearings in Monette and Manila to discuss plans for improvements to Highway 18, according to AHTD officials.

     The meeting in Monette will be held on January 8^th in the cafeteria of Buffalo Island Central West Elementary School located at 805 West Drew.  The meeting in Manila will be held January 9^th at the Manila Airport Center at 855 Manila Airport Road.  Hours for both meetings are 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

     The AHTD, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, has completed an Environmental Assessment of location alternatives for the proposed widening of Highway 18 to four lanes between the St. Francis River at Lake City and Highway 181 South.  The purpose of the meetings is to update the public on the project, present the alternatives that were considered in the Environmental Assessment and to obtain input from citizens.

     The public is invited to visit anytime during the scheduled hours to view displays, ask questions and offer comments.