Notice to Media

Highway Commission to Hold Regional Meeting in Batesville

February 23, 1998 -- The Arkansas State Highway Commission will hold a regional public meeting in Batesville to discuss highway issues, according to Highway Commission Vice Chairman Herby Branscum, Jr., of Perryville.

The public meeting will be held Thursday, March 5, in the Brown Chapel on the Lyon College campus, 2300 Highland Drive, in Batesville. The meeting is one of 16 the Commission has scheduled in January, February and March.

The purpose of the meeting is to solicit public involvement in the highway improvement process. The meeting will consist of a brief presentation on the current condition and future needs on the State Highway System followed by comments from the audience. People who choose not to speak will be given the opportunity to present their comments or suggestions in writing.

The Commission has previously reported that the state has about $7 billion in highway needs facing it in the next 10 years, yet only anticipates having about $3 billion available from current federal and state revenue sources to address those needs. "The Commission wants the general public to understand the current situation," Branscum stated. "It is important that the public understands that current funding for highway improvements is not, and has not been for some time, providing the revenues necessary to keep pace with our growing highway needs."

"The citizens of Arkansas are interested in good highways and many of them have specific projects in mind they would like to see completed," Branscum said. "The Commission appreciates that interest and would like to hear from the public which projects they believe are important and which services the Department can provide to improve transportation in Arkansas. We especially want to hear what the public believes is the most appropriate method of funding highway improvements."

The Commission has already held regional meetings in Russellville, Jonesboro, and Forrest City. The final regional meeting will be held March 31 in Little Rock.

####