Making Our Highways Safer ARKANSAS HIGHWAY POLICE PARTICIPATE in ROADCHECK 2016

JULY 2016

A PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY & TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

Making Our Highways Safer ARKANSAS HIGHWAY POLICE PARTICIPATE IN ROADCHECK 2016

Governor Hutchinson The Tale of an AHTD Exploring the Signs New Project Takes a PEAKS AND LAKES HIGHWAY BILL “NOVELLA” APPROACH Near Russellville FRONT COVER:

ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Arkansas Highway Police Sergeant COMMISSION LaToya Best conducts an inspection duringBACK Roadcheck COVER: 2016. Highway Improvement Highway 62 • Benton County Act is Welcome News DICK TRAMMEL EDITOR Chairman MAY 23RD, GOVERNOR ASA David Nilles [email protected] HUTCHINSON SIGNED INTO LAW THE ARKANSAS HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT GRAPHIC DESIGNER ON Paula Cigainero ACT OF 2016. THIS LEGISLATION IS WELCOME NEWS AND [email protected] WILL PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT WITH SUFFICIENT FUNDS NEEDED TO MATCH NEARLY $200 MILLION IN FEDERAL-AID CONTRIBUTING WRITER FUNDS EACH YEAR. IF THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN UNABLE Glenn Bolick [email protected] TO REMEDY THE SHORTFALL IN STATE MATCHING FUNDS, PHOTOGRAPHER THOMAS B. SCHUECK THESE FEDERAL FUNDS WOULD HAVE BEEN REDISTRIBUTED Rusty Hubbard Vice Chairman TO OTHER STATES. THIS WOULD HAVE EQUATED TO A [email protected] NEARLY $250 MILLION ANNUAL REDUCTION IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS TO IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN ARKANSAS‘ TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. Correspondence should be directed to: ARKANSAS HIGHWAYS Governor Hutchinson’s bill is a groundbreaking one because, for the first time, it allocates surplus Public Information Office P.O. Box 2261, Room 1002 revenues to the AHTD. These, and other provisions in the bill, bring new funding to our Department, all Little Rock, AR 72203-2261 without raising taxes.

This is great news for the immediate future, but the task of investigating and finding new sources of ROBERT S. MOORE, JR. funding for long-term future highway construction still lies ahead. We will be working diligently to find Member ways to put adequate funding into place. The passing of the Governor’s new Highway Act couldn’t have come at a better time. Looking at the big picture, State revenues are down overall and that has had an effect on the Department’s budget as we plan for 2017. Yes, there are increases in some areas, but at the same time, there are also areas where funding has been reduced. Overall, the AHTD’s budget will be just slightly higher this fiscal year than it was last services to our users. year. As a result, we face a familiar challenge to be as efficient as possible while still providing critical Arkansas Highways is published by and for employees of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department as Helping the Department maintain that efficiency is our Efficiency Review Committee. The committee FRANK D. SCOTT, JR. a medium of departmental news and other Member was formed to document practices in place that save money and time, what we are doing efficiently and information. It is also distributed free of what we can do in the future to maximize cost savings. The Department’s Network Fleet is a good example charge to the public upon request. of what can be done to save money. The Committee’s goal is to find as many ways as possible to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money. After all, our revenue utilizes taxpayer money in the shape of user fees, The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation so it is a must that we use that incoming revenue responsibly and efficiently. Department (Department) complies with all civil rights provisions of federal statutes and related As in the past, our future success stories will rely on each of us as we carry out our responsibilities. authorities that prohibit discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Each of us performing well and efficiently as individuals will result in the Department continuing to be a Therefore, the Department does not discriminate on successful State agency as a whole. Your actions help tell our story at the AHTD. Let’s continue to work hard the basis of race, sex, color, age, national origin, religion or disability, in the admission, access to make that story a good one! to and treatment in the Department’s programs DALTON A. FARMER, JR. and activities, as well as the Department’s Member hiring or employment practices. Complaints of alleged discrimination and inquiries regarding the Department’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Joanna P. McFadden Section Head – Scott E. Bennett, P.E. EEO/DBE (ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator), P. O. Box 2261, Little Rock, AR 72203, (501) 569-2298, (Voice/ Director of Highways and Transportation TTY 711), or the following email address: Joanna. [email protected]. This notice is available from the ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator in large print, on audiotape and in Braille. www.issuu.com/ArkansasHighways CHECK OUT PULLING OVER FOR THE ONLINE VERSION FOR ADDITIONAL CONTENT! INTERNATIONAL ROADCHECK 2016 MAGAZINE JULY 2016 BY DAVID NILLES CONTENTS FEATURES

5 ��Pulling Over For International Roadcheck 2016 18

8 ��From Summer Intern to Successful Writer

11 ��AHTD Receives Perpetual Pavement Award

12 �� First Searcy Bypass Section Opens with Dedication

13 ��Governor Hutchinson Signs New Highway Bill

14 �� Saying Goodbye to Frito Pie: Lyndal Waits Retires After 42+ Years with the AHTD

18 �� Weekend Road Trip: Russellville

24 �� AHTD After Hours: Lifting the Big Iron

28 ��Arkansas' Great Outdoors Photo Contest

33 �� AHTD Recipient of Quality in Construction Awards

34 �� Larry Dickerson Closes the Books on a Three-Decade Career 24 ��AHTD Anti-Littering Efforts Recognized 36 AHP Sergeant Joy Bean f lags vehicles into Roadcheck. DEPARTMENTS Director’s Message...... 2

Out & About...... 23 Dear AHTD: Letters...... 38 HE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SAFETY ALLIANCE’S Arkansas Welcome Centers...... 40 (CVSA) 29TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL ROADCHECK Arkansas Rest Areas...... 41 TOOK PLACE JUNE 7TH – 9TH IN ARKANSAS AND ACROSS Construction Corner...... 42 TTHE CONTINENT. INTERNATIONAL ROADCHECK IS A 72-HOUR AHTD People...... 43 PERIOD WHEN APPROXIMATELY 13,000 CVSA-CERTIFIED LOCAL, STATE, PROVINCIAL, TERRITORIAL AND FEDERAL INSPECTORS IN IN THE ➤ U.S. Highway 67 Widening Heads Northward to Hoxie ➤ Protecting Arkansas’ Plant Species JURISDICTIONS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA PERFORM ROADSIDE NEXT issue ➤ Are Solar Highways in Our Future? SAFETY INSPECTIONS ON LARGE TRUCKS AND BUSES. (continued on page 6)

4 || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX mong those inspectors were members of the AHP Major Jay Thompson serves as that there are two critical elements “We’re excited about the lives we’re Arkansas Highway Police (AHP) who had roadside the CVSA President this year and had this needed in order for their businesses to saving and the unsafe trucks that are inspection areas set up on Interstate 30 in Saline to say about the roadside inspections operate safely,” O’Neal stated. “They are being pulled off of the highways this County, and in south Arkansas in Desha County. program in North America. equipment that is properly maintained week,” Major Thompson added. A and drivers who are well trained and well “We are using three electronic traffic control devices to advise “International Roadcheck is the largest At the conclusion of this year’s event, truckers that International Roadcheck is underway and they targeted enforcement program on rested. When those truckers get behind a total of 637 commercial vehicles had must prepare to pull off the highway into the inspection area,” commercial motor vehicles in the world, the wheel, they only want one thing, to been inspected in Arkansas. Of those, stated Captain Jeff Bickerstaff of the Arkansas Highway Police with nearly 17 trucks or buses inspected, make it back home to their families and 213 received CVSA decals for their trucks on the first day of the event. on average, every minute in Canada, the they want the same for your families with indicating vehicles having no violations AHP Captain Jeff Bickerstaff whom they share the road. Our Arkansas During International Roadcheck, inspectors primarily United States and Mexico during the 72- of the items inspected or violations uses special equipment to check Highway Police want that too and we vehicle brake temperature. conduct the North American Standard Level One Inspection, hour period. As an Arkansan, I can say we contained in the North American appreciate that these patrol officers put which is the most thorough roadside inspection. It is a 37-step are very proud of the commercial motor Standard Out-of Service Criteria. Of their lives on the line every time they step procedure that includes an examination of both the driver and vehicles that we have in the state of the violations found during inspection, out of their patrol vehicles with only a few vehicle. Drivers are required to provide items such as their Arkansas. Our motor carriers are leaders many were for brakes, lighting or tires. feet between them and the flow of traffic.” license, endorsements, medical card and hours-of-service amongst the country’s leading safety International Roadcheck is a documentation, and may be checked for seat belt usage and motor carriers.” Since its inception in 1988, roadside CVSA program organized in inspections conducted during the use of alcohol and/or drugs. The vehicle inspection includes On hand at a news conference to kick partnership with the Federal Motor International Roadcheck have numbered checking items such as the braking system, securement of off the inspection event, David O’Neal, Carrier Safety Administration, more than 1.4 million resulting in over cargo, coupling devices, exhaust system, frame, fuel system, Director of Safety Services for the Canadian Council of Motor Transport 334 lives saved and over 6,000 injuries lights, steering mechanism, driveline/driveshaft, suspension, Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA), Administrators, Transport Canada avoided. International Roadcheck also tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels and rims, reflected on working with the Arkansas and the Secretariat of Communications provides an opportunity to educate windshield wipers, and emergency exits on buses. Highway Police on safety matters. and Transportation (Mexico).  industry and the general public about “If we find critical safety violations we will pull the vehicle out “The ATA puts a high value on the the importance of safe commercial of service,” states AHP Chief Ron Burks. “Certified mechanics positive relationship that it has with the AHP Patrol Officer motor vehicle operations and the North Latonieo Lawson are available to fix the problem and after repair, the truck can Arkansas Highway Police and the law American roadside inspection program. verifies driver information. roll on down the road.” enforcement community at large and we Each year, International Roadcheck fully support and share their commitment places special emphasis on a category of to improved highway safety for everyone. violations. The special emphasis for 2016 International Roadcheck puts an International Roadcheck was tire safety AHP Corporal James Cooper emphasis on that commitment to safety (i.e., measuring the tire tread depth, writes a ticket for a vehicle and helps us to remember it every day.” being taken out of service. checking the tire pressure, checking The ATA represents over 300 trucking to make sure that no items are lodged companies across Arkansas. between dual tires and examining the “The companies of the Arkansas overall condition of the tire to make sure Trucking Association are extremely that no deep cuts or bulges exist in the conscious of safety and they know sidewalls of the tire).

Arkansas Highway Police Major Jay Thompson speaks to the media at a press DON’T MISS conference. He was joined by other AHP Vimeo.com/AHTD/Roadcheck16 Officers, as well as members of the FOR VIDEO COMPLEMENT Arkansas Trucking Association. TO THIS STORY! Interstate 49 in northern Arkansas during its construction in the early 1990s. THE LABOR WAS BROILING HOT, DUSTY RED From AND SOMETIMES INEXPRESSIBLY BEAUTIFUL SUMMER INTERN BACK IN THE MOUNTAINS. THERE WAS A STRETCH OF CUT WAY UP ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN, PAST WEST FORK...... STANDING ON THAT MOUNTAINSIDE ON A CLEAR DAY, YOU “COULD SEE OLD MAIN ON THE NORTHERN HORIZON. Interstate 49 Interstate 49 during construction today ”

STEVE YATES Author of “Sandy and Wayne”

NILLES: Take us back to those three NILLES: How would you describe your summers you worked for the AHTD. How three summers working construction on theodolites are wireless and a gunner can be did you get a job with the Department? Interstate 49? her own rodman, would there even be a need To YATES: for all that labor? I became a fully certified YATES: operator of a Kaiser blade. Construction The AHTD Springdale office was The labor was broiling hot, SUCCESSFUL WRITER inspection and concrete plant inspections BY DAVID NILLES in dire need of cub surveyors who could dusty red and sometimes inexpressibly were also major parts of what we were doing. maintain a narrative distance. beautiful back in the mountains. There All this experience was tremendously Seriously, I have often asked myself that was a stretch of cut way up on the side of helpful to my writing. At the time, I was same question. I was an MFA candidate in a mountain, past West Fork, one where

the University of Arkansas Creative Writing drafting a novel about a family who owned IT SURPRISING TO FIND AN ARKANSAS we had to do a lot of stabilization work and mined a limestone quarry in Springfield, Program. I had the mathematical acumen to secure the lanes. Standing on that STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION of a tufted titmouse and the engineering Missouri, during and after the Civil War. DEPARTMENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECT mountainside on a clear day, you could skills of a southern black vulture. How did Excavating and blasting has similarities to SERVING AS THE BACKDROP FOR A see Old Main on the northern horizon. I get so lucky? quarrying, and certainly all the concrete and Old Main and Kimpel Hall, where I taught POPULAR FICTION NOVELLA? Not when its author, IS Guessing, I would say that there was a limestone products we used were fascinating English and writing in the spring and Steve Yates, spent three summers working as an intern for ton of survey and inspection work on the and had corollaries in 1861. We also fall, and where I took boisterous, heady, the AHTD. docket that first summer of 1991. All the surveyed an abandoned quarry near West punishing writing workshops from Bill His book, Sandy and Wayne unfolds in northwest engineering school candidates had already Fork — a dangerous, torturous challenge, but Harrison, Jim Whitehead, Skip Hays, Arkansas where Yates spent three summers working on found positions. My resume indicated deeply informative to understanding work in Joanne Meschery and John Williams. That someone eager, stable and reliable. a nineteenth-century quarry. view assured me I was working on what the construction of Interstate 49 between Devil’s Den State Morkan’s Quarry and I was humbled and honored to be Those summers really helped me write would become one of the most beautiful Park and Greenland. The book tells the story of Sandy The Teeth of the Souls welcomed back for two more summers my first two novels, stretches of Interstate in America. And Coker, an AHTD lead inspector who meets Wayne Sheridan, lot to be there. after that first one. When I did not return in its sequel . Both were being a native Ozarker, it really meant a dirt foreman for a contractor constructing a project on 1994 — I had lucked into two fellowships published by Moon City Press. That’s Interstate 49. and could afford to spend that summer notebooks in transit and on lunch hours. what I was writing in all those ring bound Now, when I drive that stretch to come writing — the office manager at Springdale Arkansas Highways editor David Nilles had the back to Fayetteville for book signings at rang our apartment hoping to recruit me opportunity to talk with Yates about his time with the Okay, I’ll admit it, also while I was dirt Nightbird Books, I have a lot of difficulty. I again. That was one of the most affirming Department and the story that followed. inspecting, in the delays between earth get very emotional. I know we all get more phone calls of my young life. NILLES: What were your job duties? movers unloading. Back at the Springdale sentimental as we age, but I don’t fight office, one of the engineers said he and the this sentiment. I was born in Springfield, YATES: foremen on the job were so very impressed Missouri; I am native to the Ozarks. I miss Surveying at all levels of with how fastidiously I minded the dirt work the Ozarks terribly, and in many ways responsibility from flagman and rodman and took so many notes. I have a strong I became a writer on those mountains (continued on page 10) 8 || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX to assistant, and finally gunner. Now that feeling he knew what I was up to. while working on that Interstate. AHTD RECEIVES PERPETUAL PAVEMENT AWARD FOR U.S. HIGHWAY 62

NILLES: Your book, Sandy and Wayne, is a novel and a novella novella. Explain the difference between a YATES: A novella is too long to be a short story, and too short to be a novel. The Book of Job in the Bible is novella length. Novellas are almost impossible to publish. Magazines say the novella is too long; short. This one, Sandy and Wayne agents and editors at publishers say it is too , won the Big Fiction Magazine. And then out of the Knickerbocker Prize and was published in Interstate 49 during construction blue a year or so after that, I get an email from someone named Dane Bahr in Seattle Sandy and Wayne as a standalone book. NILLES: What’s next? Are you currently at Dock Street Press. He wants to publish working on your next novel? HE ASPHALT PAVEMENT ALLIANCE (APA) HAS RECOGNIZED name, Coker, a name that goes all the EIGHT STATE DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, INCLUDING Unheard of — this stuff never happens! way back to the first Ozarker ever written YATES: NILLES: The book is a story that ARKANSAS, WITH THE 2015 PERPETUAL PAVEMENT AWARD FOR about by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft. The rest originates from your time with the AHTD. I’m finishing work on the draft of HIGH QUALITY, LONG-LIFE ASPHALT PAVEMENTS. rolled out like a smooth two-lane down an The Where did you get the idea to write it? a novel manuscript, a kind of horror story/ T easy slope. Legend of the Albino Farm NILLES: I think readers will find the story gothic turned upside down. It’s called YATES: a little heartbreaking. There is a lot of interesting because it is as much about work . It’s very strange, The award is presented to state transportation departments In the early 1990s it was rare for as it is about love. Would you agree? and local agency road owners for well performing asphalt Recognition is given to Vu Nguyen, Engineer II, in the Asset a woman to be a lead inspector, or to be family love in it but, alas, no surveying, no pavements that are at least 35 years old with proven high- Management Section of the System Information and Research YATES: even a survey crew chief. But I had the great blasting, no excavating. Just fire, rampaging quality structural design. To earn the award, the pavement Division, for his hard work and research in the Perpetual Sandy and fortune of serving and being supervised Tom Nissley, who owns Phinney Goths, and an Irish Catholic family beset by must have not suffered a structural failure, and it should have Pavement Award application process. Wayne an average interval between resurfacing of no less than 12 by two of the best. I found them to be Books in Seattle, said this about a curse, a lie that Springfield, my hometown, The other seven winners were Departments of extraordinary people, absolutely holding when he named it the New Book insisted on telling about their homeplace. years. The road must demonstrate the characteristics expected Yates has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing Transportation in Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, their own in a dusty, grueling, crude, of the Week in the store’s January 4, 2016, from a long-life, perpetual pavement design: excellence in from the University of Arkansas and has Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee. muscular male world. I thought quite newsletter: “It’s so rare to find fiction about design, quality in construction and value to taxpayers. written four books of fiction including Winning agencies are honored by their local state asphalt highly of them. I’ll never forget them, their everyday work, aside from office satires The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department Some Kinds of Sandy and Wayne, Morkan’s Quarry, The pavement association and are presented with an engraved diligence, patience, courage and skill. In a and the usual glamorously improbable was named a winner for a three-mile, two-lane section of U.S. Love: Stories Teeth of the Souls and the Juniper Prize- crystal obelisk. The names of the winning agency and the space before my collection, professions, that opening up a novella Highway 62 located in Carroll County near Berryville. winning Some Kinds of Love: Stories. His winning projects are also added to a plaque on permanent won the Juniper Prize and was that concerns the Arkansas Highway and “The Perpetual Pavement Award has come to represent the novella, Sandy and Wayne, was chosen display at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) published by University of Massachusetts Transportation Department, and specifically best in initial pavement design, construction practices and by author Lauren Groff for the Big Fiction Research Center at Auburn University. Press, I was thinking about those two the contract for Highway Job AR 4005, routine maintenance activities,” stated Scott Bennett, Arkansas Magazine Knickerbocker Prize. Yates has Engineers at the NCAT located in Auburn, Alabama, women and that heavy construction, feels like a thrilling revelation. It turns out State Highway and Transportation Department Director. “This also been the recipient of fellowships evaluated the nominations and validated the results for the highway world. And at the same time I to be a romance too (Sandy is a highway section of Highway 62 just east of Berryville opened in 1971 from the Arkansas Arts Council and the really longed to write a novella. “Bartleby, construction inspector and Wayne is a and has only received two standard maintenance overlays eight award winners. Since the awards were first presented Mississippi Arts Commission. He serves the Scrivener,” “Stationmaster Fallmerayer,” contractor’s foreman), but there remains in 44 years. It has performed well and we thank the Asphalt in 2001, 108 pavements in 30 U.S. states and one Canadian as Assistant Director/Marketing Director “Ward 6,” “Old Mortality,” “Legends of the a romance in the work as well, and the fact Pavement Alliance for recognizing our Department and the province have been honored with the award. at University Press of Mississippi. Fall” — these novellas taught me such a that Sandy and Wayne are so good at their excellent qualities this road exhibits. It means a great deal to The APA is a partnership of the Asphalt Institute, National Sandy and Wayne is available online great deal, I wanted to try to give one back. jobs makes them compelling characters with our Department to be recognized as an Asphalt Pavement Asphalt Pavement Association and the State Asphalt Pavement at Amazon.com and from Dock Street And I wanted to write a long country music something truly at stake when they decide Alliance Perpetual Pavement Award recipient for a sixth time.” Associations.  Press at DockStreetPress.com.  love song, too. So then I made up a character whether to stick together. It’s a fresh and named Sandy, and gave her an old Ozark last thoughtful tale.” 10 || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX ARKANSAS HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE | JULY 2016 || 11 DON’T MISS Vimeo.com/AHTD/SearcyBypass Governor Asa Hutchinson FOR VIDEO COMPLEMENT signed the new Arkansas TO THIS STORY! Highway Improvement Act on May 23. FIRST SEARCY BYPASS SECTION

AHTD Director Scott Bennett OPENS WITH DEDICATION BY GLENN BOLICK GOVERNOR HUTCHINSON SIGNS NEW HIGHWAY FUNDING BILL BY DAVID NILLES

HE GOVERNOR’S CONFERENCE ROOM AT THE STATE CAPITOL WAS THE SETTING ON MAY 23RD AS GOVERNOR Hutchinson said about the plan. “This has ASA HUTCHINSON SIGNED INTO LAW THE ARKANSAS Highway Department and local officials never been done in this fashion where it is an cut the ribbon on the Searcy Bypass. HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN OF 2016. ongoing formula for moving surplus revenues T to the Department. It also takes Treasury interest earnings and other funds and moves The Governor signed the bill on the final day of $200 million per year in Federal Highway them over to the Highway Transfer Fund for of a three-day special session of the legislature funds. The end result would have been a total use by the Highway Department. The key which was scheduled to consider his highway of $250 million of highway projects that could funding plan as well as other matters. not be implemented annually in Arkansas. is that it is a plan that allows us to meet the Federal match that will ultimately result “I want to congratulate Senator Bart Hester, “It is vitally important that Arkansas in $1 billion in highway improvements over HAT BETTER DAY TO DEDICATE THE FIRST SECTION lead Senate sponsor of the highway bill, as be in a position to match Federal Highway five years.” OF THE STATE HIGHWAY 13 EXTENSION IN SEARCY well as Representative Andy Davis, the lead funds, the majority of which are generated sponsor of the bill in the House, for their magic in Arkansas through the Federal Motor Fuel The bill represents a unique solution for a THAN ON FRIDAY THE 13TH? There wasn’t anything of working this bill through the session,” said Tax, sent to Washington and then returned unique challenge that the AHTD faced. The eerie on May 13th as Searcy Mayor David Morris Governor Hutchinson. “I think it was great to Arkansas by specific Federal Program Legislature and the Governor’s Working Group Wwelcomed a large crowd to officially dedicate and open the first of working together to make it happen. He praised the work of local team work.” formulas. Federal Highway funds that cannot on Highway Funding met that challenge with a three sections that will make up the 13-mile, two-lane Searcy Bypass. elected officials and also praised former Highway Commissioner be redistributed to other states that have the The Governor continued by thanking AHTD be matched are returned to Washington to Cliff Hoofman who was also at the event. result that did not raise taxes. Director Scott Bennett as well as all members Highway Commission Chairman Dick Trammel noted that the “The plan is a five year plan that carries us of the Highway Commission. matching funds available” Director Bennett Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department City of Searcy and White County have each contributed $3 million through the length of the Federal Highway “Everyone made a difference in getting this explained. (AHTD) Director Scott Bennett noted that planning for the bypass toward funding of the estimated $50 million bypass. legislation and the need that we have for passed,” he added. The Arkansas Highway Improvement Plan began with a 2004 Commission Minute Order. “If it weren’t for this working partnership, this bypass would matching funds. You have revenue streams On December 4, 2015, the President of 2016 addresses the AHTD’s most critical, “This section we are opening today was the first to be awarded,” still be looking for financing to complete,” Trammel added. that have never existed before for the Highway signed into law the Fixing America’s Surface immediate need to match all available Federal said Bennett. “The $16.4 million contract was awarded to the The first section combines five miles of reconstructed, existing Department,” Hutchinson concluded. “This Transportation (FAST) Act, which authorizes Highway funds provided by the FAST Act. Rogers Group in September of 2012. The last section will begin State Highway 13 with new location connecting State Highway is what I would consider a success and I am five years of Federal Highway funding for “Passage of the Governor’s proposal allows construction this summer.” 267 on the southern end to State Highway 36 to the north and was delighted with this highway bill.” Federal Fiscal Years 2016-2020. In general, Arkansas to fully utilize and not forfeit The Searcy High School Band provided entertainment as the awarded in 2012 for $16.4 million. AHTD Director Scott Bennett added “Once federally funded projects require a twenty available Federal Highway dollars, something crowd arrived and then White County Judge Michael Lincoln gave The second section is 4.2 miles of new location connecting State percent state fund match. Due to a variety of that is clearly in the best interest of our Washington enacted the FAST Act, that put the an invocation and the colors were presented by the Northstar Highway 16 to U.S. Highway 67 north of town. That $16.3 million reasons that included an increase in Federal citizens of the great State of Arkansas, the burden back on us to come up with additional Emergency Medical Services, Searcy Police and Fire Departments contract is under construction by McGeorge Contractors and is Highway funds combined with a decrease in motoring public and our highways,”Director revenue to match the Federal funds that and the White County Sheriff’s Office. expected to be completed in late 2017 or early 2018. State Highway revenue to the Department, Bennett stated. became available for Arkansas’ highways. Former Governor and lifelong Searcy resident Mike Beebe was The third and final section is for the 3.7 miles between the legislature for their efforts to address this  this resulted in a projected shortfall of $50 “Looking at this highway bill, it is historic We commend and thank the Governor and on hand and noted that highway construction not only can take Highways 16 and 36. Estimated cost is $15 to $20 million and  million annually to match Federal Highway in nature because it allocates surplus a long time from idea to fruition, but it also takes a lot of people is scheduled to receive bids this summer. 12 || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX funds. This equates to an average forfeiture revenues to the Highway Department,” fundingARKANSAS shortfall.” HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE | JULY 2016 || 13 DON’T MISS Vimeo.com/AHTD/LyndalWaits FOR VIDEO COMPLEMENT TO THIS STORY! Some of the larger projects Waits saw completed during his career come to mind as well. “I think the extension of Highway 67 is one of my SAYING GOODBYE favorite projects,” Waits reflected. “When I came over here, it was widened to Bradford, and now the widening has extended north of Newport by TO about 20 miles. I understand this August they are going to open up the next section up to Hoxie. I’ve enjoyed seeing that progress through the years. FRITO PIE The White River Bridge was interesting and LYNDAL WAITS RETIRES AFTER unique as well. I’ve been involved in three White 42+ YEARS WITH THE AHTD River Bridge projects. The one southeast of Newport on Highway 67, and the Guion Bridge on Highway 58 in Izard and Stone Counties. And now, we are doing the replacement of the Highway 367 Blue Bridge down at Newport. I would say that the one project that has impacted me personally is the five-lane Highway 167 from Bald Knob to Batesville. It’s just an LYNDAL unbelievably wonderful thing to have had happen THROUGH for Batesville and the north central part of the State. It’s really been an economic engine for the THE YEARS area. And now, it’s continuing northward. We have ten miles of projects going on from Batesville to Cave City. It will have a big impact on Independence County and the people who live in the Cave City ONE CAN BLAME District Five Engineer Lyndal Waits area. They come to Batesville to work, shop and go to medical facilities. The highway has had a for being ready to retire last month. After all, he had The bad part is that we have GPS on our positive impact on all of that!” been with the AHTD for 42 successful years. And, GETTING INVOLVED IN THE cars now and we have computers keeping most of that time was spent in Batesville, not only BATESVILLE COMMUNITY our time with Kronos. I’m just joking. These Ndoing a Ogreat job for the Department, but making his community a advancements have made our jobs much better place as well. When Waits wasn’t at the District Headquarters THEmore efficient.”REWARDS OF THE JOB or on a job location somewhere, you could probably LOOKING BACK AT HIS CAREER find him busy with one of many civic organizations our bid lettings. We would have a chance Over his years at the Department, Waits he was involved with. The walls in his office were “I started working fulltime for the to visit and watch the proceedings. Now, has been involved in many projects that decorated with numerous plaques given to him for

Department in May of 1975 and before that, we have electronic bidding and I probably have made travel easier for motorists in his outstanding service around town. I was a summer intern for five summers haven’t been to a letting in over a year. District Five. “I started to look for something to do during

at the Jonesboro and Paragould Resident Contract administration and how we track “It’s nice to make a difference in the summers,” Waits recalls. an outlet. Engineer Office,” Waits recalls. “I think I’ve our jobs has changed quite a bit as well. people’s lives and to be able to make their Greene County Fine Arts Council provided been District Engineer for over 21 years. When I make a slide rule joke now, highways safer,” Waits comments. “We’ve Half of my career has been as District nobody knows what I’m talking about! had so many projects that have decreased “They always had a huge summer musical and Engineer so that seems really weird. I’ve When I was in college, I had to take a slide congestion or made our intersections safer. getting involved gave me something to do. I’ve been here in Batesville since 1984.” rule test. Before I graduated, the advent of We installed quite a few left turn lanes and done 17 stage productions and been in a lead role The way the Department does business the calculator came along. I did get to finish short three-lane sections just to help people in three of them. I don’t understand how I inflicted has changed over those many years and with calculators. in their daily travels. I’ve enjoyed being able that pain upon myself! You’re up on that stage Waits reflected on a few examples. The electronic measuring devices that to be a part of that. On the maintenance trying to remember your lines and sing notes that “The process hasn’t change very much in we use now on projects are amazing. You side, we take pride in how well we respond are close to what they should be. It’s pretty scary.” its basic core, but the electronics world has have graders and dozers with blades that to the public’s wants and needs. Sometimes Waits had the lead role in South Pacific and The certainly changed everything,” he stated. are manipulated by satellites. They give we can’t meet all of their requests, but we Pajama Game and, in 2003, was(continued the lead onin Anniepage 16) 14“District || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX Engineers used to always go to you an amazing level of precision. try to do as much as we can.” playing Daddy Warbucks. THE AHTD’S EQUIPMENT ROADEO “I shaved my head but kept my THAT QUARTERBACK mustache,” he recalls. “I may have been the TOLD ME ‘MR. only Daddy Warbucks in history to have a WAITS, THAT WAS Every year when the Department holds its statewide Equipment Roadeo, you’ll find moustache. My family was adamant that I THE WORST GAME a hitch. keep my moustache.” I’VE EVER PLAYED. Waits on hand helping to pull it off without “Once my kids started coming along, I YOU “ALL WERE TOO “I got involved in about 1993 when Ray had to let the arts slide a little, but it seems TOUGH FOR US.” Woodruff was the Chair. He was our Excel to be in good hands,” Waits says HE PAUSED AND In addition to his work on the stage, score sheet guru and the keeper of the THEN HE SAID, Waits was involved in the visual arts as program.” well. He was chair of the Greene County ‘AND WHAT’S Waits has been involved ever since. Now Fine Arts Council for five years and then THE DEAL he is going out on top because District Five was instrumental in helping to found the WITH won the State Champions title last year. Batesville Area Arts Council. “I got the shock of my life when we won,” “The arts seem to be in pretty good FRITO PIE?’ he recalls. “That was a first for District hands here in town” he reflects. “My Five. I am coming down to cheer District primary goal was to get all of the Five on this year. Maybe they will win it funding into one place. They are doing a again for Bruce Street.” tremendous job without me. It is much Waits was instrumental in the startup of more wonderful now and I’m glad I got out Regional Roadeo as well, serving as the chair. of their way.” “We went to Lake Village and met The AHTD’s involvement with the United folks from the Mississippi Department Way means a great deal to Waits as well. of Transportation. Together, we started “I’ve always been really proud of District (Top) Waits points proudly at the Equipment Operators' Roadeo Team Champion Trophy. the Regional Roadeo and it has turned Five’s involvement in the annual United ” (Bottom Left) Waits accepting the Team Champion award for District Five in 2015. out to be a great success. It was just us (Bottom Right) District Five once again won the Roadeo Team Champion Award in June 2016. Way campaign,” Waits adds. “We’ve always and Mississippi for a little while but our represented a substantial part of the intent was to involve teams from all of our

Department’s total giving amount. And, we SASHTO states and we are getting close. were always in a battle with the Right of Way LOOKINGWe are up to aboutAT RETIREMENT ten states now.” Division as to who would be the top giver. I hope the success continues after I leave.” FRIDAY NIGHTS AT As you read this article, Waits is already PIONEER STADIUM for them. Usually, in the last few minutes Waits has become known as “Frito Pie” Our kids had been going to Cave City for “It was a fundraiser for the Kiwanis enjoying his retirement. When we wrote of the first half whenever a team calls a around town. their Mighty Might football program. Club. The founder, Dr. Jim Stalker, asked this story, we had to ask Lyndal what he the AHTD. On Friday nights during high school time out, I do a commercial that starts out He once met the quarterback for the A friend of mine had a son who was a 4th me to be a part of the team and we would do once he closed his career out at football season, you’ll find Waits in the with a joke. It’s usually a corny joke. Every Hope High School football team who was grader. I said, ‘If you’ll help me on the traveled to some barbeque contests to stadium press box serving as the stadium now and then there is a homerun joke in curious about the subject. football side, you and I can work on it.’ I set see how it was done. From 1991 to 2009 “It’s going to be different and it really announcer for the Batesville High School there but usually they’re pretty sorry and “That quarterback told me ‘Mr. Waits, up the rules and scoured the Internet. We we held our contest here in Batesville. does seem weird,” Waits reflects. “Just Pioneers. they are good groaners and the crowd that was the worst game I’ve ever played. tried to keep it low key and fun for the kids. I took over as chair for many years the fact that the magazine crew is here “I didn’t want my announcer role to be a appreciates it. I can’t tell you how many You all were too tough for us.” He paused We taught the fundamentals and Coach King and helped put it on. It’s a great thing doing a story is weird. It’s been a good bland job,” Waits admits. times people have told me they always wait and then he said, ‘And what’s the deal with at the high school gave me his play book. for the community and we raised over run and I have enjoyed it. We have really In addition to telling the crowd what for that part of the game to happen. So I Frito Pie?’ Something he has regretted to this day!” $200,000. It was a great experience and great people here in District Five and they THE SMELL OF down it is, who caught the ball and who tell the joke and I relate the commercial That’s pretty bad when you have the I do miss it. are just a super bunch to work with. I will GOOD BARBEQUE threw the ball, Waits has coined a few to whoever the joke is about and tell the opposing team asking what that’s all about. For the last four or five years, they certainly miss the day-to-day contact with phrases that have become institutional and crowd that they are at the game tonight That year I did get to announce the band have been doing ‘Smoking on the everybody. earned him a nickname. because you know if it is Friday night, you at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock Folks in Batesville know a thing or two White.’ Every time the end of March I’ll continue doing all of the community “I always start the evening with ‘Its should be at Pioneer Stadium. I say they are during the championships and I finished it about good barbeque. Waits was a key rolls around and I’m down by Riverside things I’ve always been involved in and Friday night football in Pioneer Stadium.’ enjoying the food at the concession stand with “now where can I go get a Frito Pie?” player in the early days of the Batesville Park I just hurt when I smell that good maybe some new ones. Someone asked

Also, because my daughter was in the and I finish it by saying, ‘and be sure to get Waits was a major player in bringing Ozark Hawg BBQ Championship Contest. barbecue in the air. I sure do miss those me if I was going to quit doing the stadium stand because the band is involved in that band, I wanted to mention the concession my personal favorite…’ and then I pause youth football to Batesville as well. He was an original committee member days of smoking that barbeque and announcing and I said, ‘No, I’m just retiring to 2010.  and I am drowned out by the crowd that “There were lots of folks in town who and served as chair of the event from 2001 the great smells of the early morning. from work!’ And I love work. I never had operation.16 || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX So I started doing a commercial says “Frito Pie!” said, ‘Man I wish we had something here.’ It was nice!” too manyARKANSAS bad HIGHWAYS days. I’ve MAGAZINE survived!” | JULY 2016 || 17 Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Cornwell House at Beautiful, rustic cabins Lake Dardanelle from high Mount Nebo State Park are available for rent at atop Mount Nebo. Mount Nebo.

Lake Dardanelle State WEEKEND Park Visitor Center ROAD TRIP RUSSELLVILLE BY DAVID NILLES

Camping at Lake Dardanelle HIS SUMMER’S WEEKEND ROAD TRIP TAKES US TO THE Visitor Center on State Park Photo Courtesy AR Parks & Tourism ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY, THE TOWNS OF RUSSELLVILLE The highlights are Sunrise and Sunset aren’t recommended due to the hairpin an impressive AND DARDANELLE, AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. Points, both perfect places to take in the curves zigzagging up the mountain. the lakeshore that overlooks Lake T view. For mountain biking enthusiasts, If lakeside camping sounds more Dardanelle. Exhibits and touch screen level route along a natural terrace that Lake Dardanelle State the 4 1/2-mile Bench Trail is a fairly appealing to you, then head down the kiosks share information about the Park It is here that the Ozark and Ouachita a park site. Native stone and logs from mountain to park, the area’s water resources and Mountains meet along the shores of the the mountain were used by the Civilian encircles Mount Nebo. And speaking of . Lake Dardanelle is a 34,300-acre its history. The highlight is an aquatic Arkansas River. This area is also referred Conservation Corps to construct many biking, the Visitor’s Center offers bike reservoir on the Arkansas River. These exhibit featuring six aquariums that surrounding area. to as the Tri Peaks area because within of the park’s bridges, trails, rustic-style rentals, perfect for taking advantage of two water resources have put this area hold fish found in the waters of the the river valley stand Mt. Nebo, Mount cabins and pavilions. For campers, the the mountain’s relatively flat top. After into the national spotlight as a major bass Magazine and Petit Jean Mountain. Our park offers 34 campsites with a beautiful a good hike or bike ride, a swimming fishing tournament site. The State Park Another unique facility in the journey includes one of those mountains view beyond the mountain. There are pool awaits to cool visitors down. Tennis offers two areas on the lake: one park site Russellville main area is the park’s as well as lakes, history, the arts and also 15 fully-equipped cabins for rent, courts, picnic areas and a playground also is at Russellville, and the other is located 1,861-square-foot fishing tournament soon is the Cornwell House, built in entertainment. complete with fireplaces and kitchens. are found on the mountain top. Opening at Dardanelle. Both the Russellville (main weigh-in pavilion, a world-class nation that serves as a staging area for This road trip begins with a bird’s- The accommodations make a great park) and Dardanelle locations offer facility and the first of its kind in the

eye view of Russellville, Dardanelle and headquarters for the weekend. 1889 as part of the Arkansas Summer camping, boat ramps, pavilions, picnic at Mt. Nebo State Park the valley floor from high atop Mt. Nebo For hikers, fourteen miles of trails Normal School program. The park is sites, restrooms and bathhouses with tournaments. Near the pavilion there . In 1933, a encircle Mount Nebo and take visitors to located seven miles west of Dardanelle on hot showers. is also a covered fishing pier, a popular portion of the mountain was chosen as the east and west ends of the mountain. Highway 155. Trailers over 24-feet long The Russellville site also features place for bank fishing,(continued sightseers on page and 20)

18 || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX Russellville Train Depot LAKE DARDANELLE the Arkansas River Visitor Center. photographers because of its sweeping IS A 34,300-ACRE view of the lake and Mount Nebo. Hike The theme of this Visitor Center is a trail, rent a kayak, listen to a nature RESERVOIR ON “Renaissance of a River”. Interpretive program by park interpreters or take exhibits tell the story of the development a guided lake tour. It all adds up to a THE ARKANSAS of the River Valley from the time when great place to enjoy the outdoors! To RIVER. THESE TWO Native Americans were the sole occupants reach the park, follow Marina Road off of this area up to the present. The center of Highway 64. WATER RESOURCES HAVE also offers wildlife exhibits, hands-on Hourglass Heading into the heart of Russellville, exhibits and great views of the river. Escape Rooms PUT THIS AREA INTO THE it’s time for some fun at Old South Restaurant The area was once a bustling town and . Escape rooms are a new NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT AS riverport. It was the center of the Western form of live action entertainment that Cherokee Nation and included the have become a worldwide phenomenon. A MAJOR BASS FISHING community of Norristown. The Center is For one hour in one room, you and your located at 1598 Lock and Dam Road and is TOURNAMENT SITE. crew will race against the clock, solving open Monday through Saturday. Old South Restaurant. puzzles and cracking codes in hopes of When hunger strikes and you’re ready escaping the room before time runs out. for a meal, try the Each room is themed and your objective Built in 1947, the building features an Art searching for stolen art or solving a can vary from finding the antidote to Modern-style design and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Not addition to neon lights on the building, murder. There are several difficulty much has changed since it was built. In levels and anywhere from two to twenty people can play in your room, depending round windows, aluminum fixtures and features great breakfast, lunch and dinner on the room you choose. It’s a race padded booths typical of the era, the menu against the clock, but don’t worry, they will let you out! The fun can be found at items. Be sure to leave room for their 2606 W. Main Street. You’ll want to call Potts Inn Museum is the only surviving banana pudding! The restaurant is located stagecoach stop on the Butterfield 479-567-1068 to book your room. Overland mail route in Arkansas. at 1330 E. Main Street. the Russellville Depot For railroad buffs, be sure to see From Russellville, we’ll head just east of the area at the Potts Inn Museum. while in the to Pottsville to take in some history downtown area. Built in 1916, this rehabilitated Missouri-Pacific train The major attraction here is the Greek station is listed on the National Register Revival Architectural style home built in one of Arkansas’ earliest settlers to this of Historic Places and features railroad the 1850s by Kirkbride Potts. Potts was Hourglass Escape Rooms memorabilia and a visitor’s center. The also served as an inn for travelers on the depot is located at 320 W. C Street. area. The home housed his family and to take in the visual arts at the River Russellville offers an opportunity Valley Arts Center. Galleries at the Butterfield Stagecoach Line. In fact, Potts Inn is the only surviving stagecoach stop Center offer works of art by local artists on the Butterfield Overland mail route in as well as rotating exhibitions by Arkansas. Tours of the home are available national artists. The works of Christine and you will see many furnishings in the Art classes for kids and adults are Hendrix are being featured this month. home that were owned by the Potts family. also offered for those interested in Also found among the log structures on the grounds is an exhibition of dolls that expressing their creativity. The Arts features an exact replica of each of the Center is located at 1001 E. B Street. First Ladies of the United States and (continued on page 22) To learn more about the Arkansas the First Ladies’ of Arkansas inaugural River Valley Arts Center River in this area, allow some time at ball gowns.

20 || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX ARKANSAS HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE | JULY 2016 || 21 Take a swim in the Mulberry River during the Homegrown The Potts Inn Music Festival. a Museum also houses one of just Another area features one of just neo-tropical migratory songbirds that use a few known hat museums in the few known hat museums in the United the refuge as a rest area on their journey United States. States with examples covering over 100 from Central and South America. Many years. Indian artifacts and antique farm species of vireos, warblers, buntings and equipment are also on view. Located orioles inhabit the woodlands, during this right next door to the city of Russellville, time. Herons, egrets and other wading the Potts Inn Museum is located just off birds feed in shallow pools and alligators of Highway 64 at 15 E. Ash Street and is can be seen in the refuge lakes and ponds. open Wednesday through Saturday. Other wildlife in the area may include deer, Our last stop in the River Valley is beavers, otters, coyotes and bobcats. Dardanelle at the Holla Bend National just eight miles down the river from A great way to see the refuge is by Wildlife Refuge. The refuge covers taking the auto tour route. Informational panels along the way assist in learning 7,055 acres and was established in 1957 more about the area. The refuge is open to when the bend in the river where it is visitors daily during daylight hours seven OUT &CALENDAR ABOUT OF EVENTS AROUND THE STATE situated was cut off by the U.S. Army days a week and the headquarters is open Holla Bend is home to Corps of Engineers in an effort to improve Monday – Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 deer and many other types of wildlife. As you travel Arkansas over the next two months, consider checking out navigation and prevent flood damage. p.m. The best times to see wildlife are some of the listed events. Our State is full of interesting things to do, The refuge’s primary purpose is to early morning and early evening. no matter which highway you find yourself driving. For additional event provide a winter home for thousands of To get to the refuge, take Highway 7 listings, check Arkansas.com/events. ducks and geese that use the Mississippi South out of Dardanelle to Highway 155 THROUGH AUGUST 7 the refuge entrance. Flyway each year for migration. During East and go approximately four miles to That brings us to the end of this road 58TH ANNUAL DELTA EXHIBITION these spring and fall migrations as many HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVAL: Little Rock, AR ❋ Arkansas Arts Center as fourteen species of ducks and four The Mulberry River region’s first JULY 14 – 24 kinds of geese will stop over at the refuge. trip, but for those with more time on their 110° sustainable music and camping festival featuring music by Leftover Salmon, During the winter, it is not uncommon for hands, think about visiting the other two The Wood Brothers, Town Mountain and many more groups. There will also El Dorado, IN THE AR SHADE the refuge to host up to 100,000 ducks “Tri Peaks” in the area. Mount Magazine is JULY 21 – 23 South Arkansas Arts Center be workshops, late night jams, hands-on activities and plenty of hiking, biking and geese at once. Bald eagles can be seen within sight distance to the west, and Petit JULY 21 – 23 ❋  and floating. • in the winter from December through Jean is just a few minutes’ drive from Holla ❋ CAVE CITY WATERMELON FESTIVAL: February. Spring brings thousands of Bend to the east. OnHOMEGROWN the Mulberry MUSIC River near FESTIVAL Ozark, AR Feast on the world’s sweetest Byrd’s Adventure Center – Highway 215 Holla Bend National watermelons and enjoy watermelon games, an auto show, a tractor show, a AUGUST 4 – 7 Wildlife Refuge AUGUST 11 – 13 WetZone for kids and music by Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives and many more. • METEOR SHOWER MANIA: Rogers,MARY POPPINS AR ❋ Arkansas Public Theatre View shooting stars from the middle of AUGUST 11 – 13 ❋

Lake Maumelle! Join a park interpreter on this guided cruise to learn about AUGUST 12 – 13 stars and constellations, then see the annual Perseid meteor shower. Advance 37TH ANNUAL CAVE CITY WATERMELON FESTIVAL payment and registration are required. • Cave City, AR ❋ WHITE RIVER DAYS: Cave City Park AUGUST 12 – 13 ❋ Celebrate the history of the White River! The weekend’s events focus on the ecology, history and prehistory of this SEPTEMBER 1 – 5 PinnacleMETEOR Mountain SHOWER State MANIA Park , AR beautiful area of northern Arkansas. Explore the river on guided canoe, kayak Jolly Rogers Marina and johnboat floats. • AUGUST 26 – 27

ST Mena,41 ANNUAL AR QUEEN WILHELMINA ROD RUN Watermelon Fest Meteor Mania White River Downtown Mena SEPTEMBER 1 – 5 ❋

BullWHITE Shoals, RIVER AR DAYS Bull Shoals–White River State Park In winter, it is not uncommon for Holla Bend to host up to 100,000 migratory birds at once. Photo Courtesy AR Parks & Tourism ARKANSAS HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE | JULY 2016 || 23 MIKE ERBY Maintenance Aide III Mike Erby competing in 1994 when he set AHTD a State record in his AFTER-HOURS weight class.

M I K E ERBY: LIFTING THE

BY DAVID NILLES

Arkansas Highways editor David Nilles NILLES: Did you play any other sports Mike’s hard work has paid off when and AHTD photographer Rusty Hubbard growing up? it comes to competitions. He has won I would like to compete when I reach that traveled to Nashville to learn more over 100 trophies and holds numerous ERBY: age because I’m as strong as ever. I still about Erby and his love for keeping in State records. can hold my own in the younger bracket, I played football… nose guard and great shape. but if it’s easier to hold my own in the next a little fullback in high school. Plus I ran bracket, then why not? NILLES: When did you first become track. I wasn’t this big in high school. I NILLES: Have you participated in other interested in weightlifting? probably weighed 160 pounds. I started competitions as well? weight lifting and I gained a hundred ERBY: ERBY: pounds in less than one year. NILLES: How often do you work out? I’ve always had an interest in it. I’d see I’ve been involved in Strong Man

other guys lifting big weights and I’d think, ERBY: competitions. In those events, I have lifted IKE ERBY IS A MAINTENANCE AIDE III AT wooden poles similar to telephone poles to man I wish I could do that. I became active in I used to work out seven days a DISTRICT THREE’S AREA MAINTENANCE a vertical position; I’ve flipped tractor tires 1989 and found a local trainer. His name is Bill week. That was when I was training hard and even pulled a fire truck full of water. OFFICE IN NASHVILLE. Mike has been on the Taylor and he got me started. He continued as and going to meets. Now, I work out about ERBY: Erby has shared his success in job with the Department for 26 years. When he’s not my trainer for 20 years. If it wasn’t for him, I five days a week and it takes me about weightlifting with others in his Bill Taylor and I were going to preparing his road crew, making sure their equipment is in perfect working wouldn’t have enjoyed such success. an hour each time. What got me to the community that are interested in the M competitions every other week. We went to I started training and going to meets and order or setting up work zones, chances are you’ll find him lifting weights at his strength I am today is squatting, dead sport. The Power Shack is open every Little Rock, the Air Force Base, Blytheville, was learning along the way. I went from a lifting and the bench. I don’t do a lot of day and he estimates 35 to 40 lifters gym in Nashville, called the Power Shack. He’s as successful at the gym as he 500 pound squat to a 700 pound squat in less extra stuff. I’ll alternate between leg days Dallas, St. Louis, we did it all. I’ve been come to train.

is in his job, winning multiple State titles and landing in the list of the Top 100 than one year. I was lifting weights seven and bench days. On my leg day, I squat and invited to compete in Russia twice. I didn’t ERBY: weight lifters in the country. At age 49, his numbers reflect his success. He can days a week. Three years later, I was lifting do leg extensions and some pull downs. make the trip but Bill went and he said if bench press 600 pounds, squat 900 pounds and dead lift 800 pounds. more weight than the guys I had admired. If On my bench day I also do curls and dips. I had gone, I would have blasted through My weight lifting is different and you set your mind to anything, you can do it. That’s it and then I’m out of there! But I do the competition. my gym is different. You go into some gyms

But I also think it’s a God-given gift. I started it all with big weights and that’s what helps Looking to the future, there is a and they have a lot of machines mixed in (continued on page 26) right after high school and now I’m 49 years me. I’ve had big time success doing my competition bracket for lifters age 50 with the free weights. That’s fine, but when 24 || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX old, and I’ve never stopped. training my way. and over and I’ve been considering that. ARKANSAS HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE | JULY 2016 || 25 Mike Erby shares his passion for weight YOU GO TO WORK AND YOU SIT training with others ALL DAY, THEN YOU GO HOME AND at his gym, The Power Shack. YOU SIT AGAIN. THE BODY IS MADE TO WORK, AND IF YOU DON’T WORK IT, YOUR “HEALTH WILL START GOING DOWNHILL. EXERCISE IS GOING TO HELP YOU STAY HEALTHY — IT’S PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE.

Erby was serving as a flagger three years ago when he was struck by a car a person walks into my gym, everything is even if it’s just walking a mile every other let it heal up. I did lose some strength in traveling 50 miles per hour. free weights. It just works better. Machines day. A lot of illness comes from just sitting that arm. That’s the first time I have ever balance themselves, but with free weights, still, not being active. You go to work and been hurt lifting weights. That was a couple NILLES: Because you and your crew are you’ve got to balance that weight yourself. you sit all day, then you go home and you sit of year ago. I still feel as strong as ever out on the road every day, let’s talk about If you want to get bigger and stronger, then again. The body is made to work, and if you today. I’m still going to lift weights and safety on the job. you have to lift and you have got to go up don’t work it, your health will start going think about” competing after the age of 50 age bracket. in the weight you lift. The small poundage downhill. Exercise is going to help you stay because I’ve been waiting to be in that next ERBY: isn’t going to get it. Some of the younger healthy — it’s preventative medicine. The I’ve always kept safety in mind lifters are different in that they want it body is built to move around. In addition, I I’ve done all of this weight lifting with out there. Our crews welcome the safety right then, but they don’t want to work for don’t drink and I don’t smoke. If you treat one disadvantage. I only have nine toes. training that we participate in and we need training. You have drivers out there that it. In order for you to get strong, you have your body right, it’s going to treat you right. I’m doing it without a big toe on one foot. that. We commend the Department for that got to lift heavy weights, that’s all there is I enjoy training people and sharing that That’s why I say it’s a God-given gift. I to it. When people come into my gym, they philosophy with them. tell guys I’m missing a toe and they can’t are texting and talking on the phone which NILLES: Have you ever suffered any work with me. We don’t play around or do a believe it until I pull off my shoe. They’ll ask means they’re not paying attention. injuries in your workouts? bunch of talking, we lift those weights! me how I am balancing that much weight Regarding my accident, I was flagging and NILLES: Do you follow a specific diet? ERBY: with only nine toes. I had stopped a car. Another car running NILLES: Does being in such good shape ERBY: about 60 miles per hour, rear-ended the You know what really scares me have benefits at home and work when it stopped car, which then ran into me. I don’t really follow a certain diet. today is the thought of breaking something. comes to lifting things? I think if you work out the way you are When you go into the gym, you’ve got to be The impact of that car had me flying. ERBY: supposed to work out, then all the calories intense. You can’t be playing around with All I remember was that I was up in the Erby has shared his love for weight lifting with others by appearing on that you eat will burn right off. You can eat that kind of weight or you’re going to get Oh yes, big time! If people work out air, and I saw blue sky. And that was it! television in his hometown of Nashville, doing exhibitions at locations such what you want to eat but you have to lift hurt. I did have 300 pounds fall across my or go walking regularly, they can perform The Highway Patrol officer on site said I as Walmart and at area churches. weights and you have to exercise like you face one time. I was training and all of the in their job better. I can put out an entire was flying like Superman. When I hit the His success in the sport has not only provided him with health advantages and years of enjoyment, today through his work at Power should. I have a big appetite, and 25 pieces sudden, my arm just gave out. I was trying load of coal mix, it may take all day, but we ground, I bounced and the rear ended car Shack, he is sharing his love of the sport with a whole new generation of of fish and french fries are nothing. My to hold the weight up and my shoulder get it out. The better shape you are in, the traveled right past me. I jumped up and I weight lifters in the Nashville area. appetite is out of this world but I just popped. I had to get stitches on my face and more work you can get done. When you looked around and everyone was running When not busy at Power Shack, you’ll find Erby involved with the Relay burn it right off with the heavy weights they did an operation on my eyes but now work out, it makes your job easier. If I’m towards me. It startled me because I didn’t said that he couldn’t believe that the tendon for Life. And rumor has it, he’s one heck of a good barbeque cook, sharing in the gym. you can’t tell any difference. The doctor going to stay on the job 35 or 40 years, know what was going on. Being hit had his barbeque with his community.  Exercise is the key for everyone. I think a I’m going to keep myself up in order to temporarily knocked me silly. Unbelievably, 26person || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX needs to get some kind of exercise, didn’t tear away from my bone. So he just keep going! I had no serious injuries! ARKANSAS HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE | JULY 2016 || 27 ARKANSAS’ ARKANSAS HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF BEAUTIFUL PLACES WHERE TRAVELERS CAN ENJOY THE OUTDOORS. We invited AHTD employees to capture images of those places Great Outdoors recently. On the next several pages, we share some of the wilderness areas they have discovered.

LESLIE SUNRISE CREEK ROOT Searcy County Madison County

photo by: photo by: Diana Wilks Richard Thomas Section Head, Cultural Resources Utility Coordinator II

BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE Yell County RIVER BRIDGE SUNRISE Interstate 430 photo by: Pulaski County Esther Hamm District 4 photo by: Area Headquarters Attendant Luann Glenn District 6 Construction Aide I

28 || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX ARKANSAS HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE | JULY 2016 || 29 LEE CREEK MALLARD LAKE MOONRISE Crawford County Mississippi County

photo by: photo by: Richard Thomas Retired Cpl. Rob Samons Utility Coordinator II Arkansas Highway Police

ARKANSAS’ Great Outdoors

MORNING FOG Ozark National Forest GASTON'S TURKEY Pope County Baxter County

photo by: photo by: Luann Glenn JaNell Davidson District 6 District 9 Construction Aide I Office Administrative Assistant V

30 || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX ARKANSAS HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE | JULY 2016 || 31 Highway 92 in north central Arkansas

ICY WINTER AFTERNOON Mississippi County

photo by: Retired Cpl. Rob Samons Arkansas Highway Police AHTD RECIPIENT OF QUALITY IN CONSTRUCTION AWARDS

Highway 62 in Benton County

HE ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT was the recipient of two awards from the National major box culverts (with excavation and embankment work) and TAsphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) recently. the resurfacing of 26 miles of the highway. The improvements extend from Highway 16 near Greers Ferry Lake westward to BEAVER LAKE HERON State Highway 9 at Center Ridge. The contractor for the project Benton County The ‘Quality in Construction’ awards recognize excellence in was Rogers Group Inc. of Conway. It was substantially completed asphalt pavements for 2015. For the year, NAPA honored 205 in September of last year. Cost of the project was approximately photo by: projects completed by 79 companies with the award. $4.8 million. Diana Wilks Section Head, Cultural Resources “The asphalt pavement industry is committed to building In Benton County, the Highway 62 project widened six miles quality pavements that deliver high performance and drivability of the roadway to five lanes. to the public,” said Michael Cote, NAPA 2015 Chairman. “All The improvements extend from Andy Jack Road, just north contractors’ projects earning a Quality in Construction Award of Avoca, to near Wimpy Jones Road in Garfield. Hutchens

are measured against industry best practices designed to live up Construction Company of Cassville, Missouri, was the contractor to our promise. I’m honored to say that in earning a 2015 Quality for the project. Work was completed in October of 2015 for in Construction Award, contractors have met or exceeded these $23.2 million. rigorous standards.” “It’s an honor to receive these awards from the Asphalt The AHTD was presented awards for improvements on State Pavement Association,” commented AHTD Director Scott Bennett. Highway 92 in Conway, Van Buren and Cleburne Counties and for “We congratulate the contractors for their exemplary work which  U.S. Highway 62 from Avoca to Garfield. put these Arkansas highways in the national spotlight and will 32 || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX The project on Highway 92 included the expansion of two provide the safest roadwaysARKANSAS possible HIGHWAYS for years MAGAZINE to come.” | JULY 2016 || 33 IT’S IMPORTANT TO GET LARRY TO KNOW ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT WE DICKERSON HAVE AT THE DEPARTMENT We would have people come in to our AND TO MAKE SURE office thinking they were ready to go.

CLOSES THE BOOKS OUR “MONEY Then, you could bet on it, we wouldn’t MANAGERS KNOW see them again for another 12 months. ON A THREE- It’s a hard decision to make. It’s a personal Larry Dickerson (center) with members WHO THEY ARE decision and I’ve heard, and think it to DECADE CAREER BY DAVID NILLES of the portfolio management team. WORKING FOR. be true, that you will know when it is time to go. Once you go and get out there,

you think, I should have gone two years UST LAST MONTH, LARRY DICKERSON SAID “GOODBYE” TO A earlier!” LONG, SUCCESSFUL CAREER AT THE AHTD AND “HELLO” TO A Before being interviewed for this story, JWELL-DESERVED RETIREMENT. Dickerson had most recently served Management, LLC, Meridian Investment Department and to make sure our money Dickerson stated that he had time to as Executive Secretary for ASHERS (Arkansas State Highway Employees Advisors and Garcia Hamilton & managers know who they are working for. reflect on his years with the AHTD and Retirement System) and Division Head of the Retirement Division but his Associates. “It’s a team process, it’s not They’re working for the men and women what they meant to him overall. career with the Department goes back almost 30 years. Larry Dickerson picking and choosing that are out there doing maintenance and “One of the most rewarding things I stocks, thank goodness! It’s professionals construction on our roadways. Our team experienced working at the Department that do that.” appreciates all of the hard work that all of was the opportunity to see the benefits of (L. to R.) Emanuel Banks and Larry Dickerson discuss Dickerson began employment with the year we picked up the Transportation retirement board business. The value of the portfolio has risen our people do. That’s what we have been an employee population that has become ” the Arkansas State Highway and Safety Agency. That brought their tremendously. When started, it was valued able to accomplish with these managers. diversified over the years. It has enriched

Transportation Department in July of programs in. It was an example of the at $227 million. Today, through April It is truly an extension of our highway my life working with such a diverse group 1987 as Assistant Fiscal Officer. He was consolidation of State government, and we to the employees and to maintain the of 2016, the market value has risen to employees that we work with.” of people. We have come a long way since promoted to Chief Fiscal Officer at the picked up those roles through attrition. plan’s liability, the position needed to $1.3 billion. Dickerson was asked what is going the days when we were all growing up.” beginning of 1988. We brought them in to Highway Police and be separate. We were able to make it Dickerson reflected on the work he through his mind as he looks forward Prior to coming to work at the AHTD, Dickerson had this to say about the role other areas. It was a nice process to go an independent position during the was doing in that position just prior to retirement. Dickerson worked with the Arkansas of the Chief Fiscal Officer and his team. through and watch how it worked out.” legislative session before last, and I took to retirement. “I’ve learned through this job that you Legislative Audit for 13 years. In total, “We are in charge of payroll, accounts Dickerson held the position of Executive that title in March of 2015.” “When you get into the retirement side, have to have something lined up. You can’t Dickerson is completing 42 years with the payable, accounts receivable, financial Secretary for the Arkansas State Highway Most of the focus of the Executive it’s one of the most challenging jobs that sit idle once you retire. I plan to do things State of Arkansas. statements and Federal Aid billing. Employees Retirement System as well. Secretary of ASHERS is on the Retirement you can have because of the responsibility that I’ve always enjoy doing. I’m looking He is a 1970 graduate of Little Rock budget for the biennial legislative session I also assist the Director in presenting the “I was officially appointed to that System’s portfolio. to the people that you are working with. forward to getting involved again with McClellan High School and a 1974

position on January 1, 1988. But with the “We have three money managers It’s very rewarding knowing that you are some of my hobbies. graduate of the University of Arkansas at that particular time of year. The role growth in the retirement plan and IRS that work for the Department and they in a position to help the families of our It’s a hard decision to decide when at Little Rock earning a bachelor’s degree  hasn’t changed much over the years. There regulations and everything that needed do a very good job,” Dickerson says of employees. It’s important to get to know to retire. The DROP made it a lot easier in Accounting. Dickerson is a Certified have34 || beenWWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX more programs added, such as to be done to offer a better product the portfolio. They include CastleArk all of the employees that we have at the and with Tier Two it became even easier. PublicARKANSAS Accountant. HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE | JULY 2016 || 35 AHTD ANTI-LITTERING EFFORTS RECOGNIZED

he Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department has received the 2015 State Agency Partnership Award from KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL INC., the nation’s premier community Tenvironmental improvement organization. The AHTD was nominated for the award by the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission (KAB). (L. to R.) AHTD Director Scott Bennett and Executive Director of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful “Our mission is to inspire and educate individuals to prevent litter, to recycle Look for the online report form under the Commission Robert Phelps. and to keep Arkansas beautiful,” wrote Robert Phelps, executive director of KAB, “Contact” icon. in the nomination. “We accomplish this through behavioral changes shaped by “Each year, we see decreases in litter reports our promotional messages and activities, demonstrating positive environmental and the volume of our pickup campaign values that citizens can adopt and live out. We are dependent on and grateful activities, as well as increased growth in this recognition and are proud to be involved in for our partnership with the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation volunteers in our programs,” Phelps added. this shared mission with them.” The AHTD earned the national recognition for its outstanding and ongoing Department.” “The ongoing AHTD partnership contributions In addition to litter cleanup, the two agencies continue to help us, and Arkansas, achieve these have also partnered in “Wildflowers Forever,” Great Arkansas Cleanup, an annual support of litter prevention projects and programs across the State. The accomplishments.” a program that has raised awareness of and Department is a lead sponsor of the Phelps presented the award to the Arkansas support for the proliferation of Arkansas native Statewide litter-pickup campaign promoted by KAB. This sponsorship helps State Highway Commission at its meeting April wildflowers on road right-of-ways and medians provide more than 14,000 volunteers with cleanup materials such as gloves and 20th in Little Rock. across the State. Litter Hotline, safety vests. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful “Partnering with Keep America Beautiful and The AHTD promotes a litter-free Arkansas by operating the provides the expertise, programs and resources the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission has a toll-free phone number where Arkansans can anonymously report littering; allowed us to have an impact on communities to help people end littering, improve recycling by providing trash receptacles at rest areas across the State; and by featuring across Arkansas when it comes to being good and beautify America’s communities. anti-litter messages on State highway maps. stewards of the environment,” stated AHTD According to the Keep America Beautiful The Litter Hotline averages 100+ calls per week and sends reported vehicle Director Scott Bennett. “The Arkansas State website, the organization and its partners strive Keep Arkansas Beautiful owners a letter reminding them that littering is illegal and has harmful Highway and Transportation Department has each and every day, to help turn public spaces IDriveArkansas.com. Commission  consequences for Arkansas’ environment and economy. The hotline number partnered with the into beautiful places, helping to drive positive is 866-811-1222. Or, you can report littering online at for over 15 years. We appreciate social, environmental and economic change.

36 || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX LETTERS

SKILLED PRESENTATION

In April, I attended a joint meeting of the Safety Management and Maintenance

& Technology Councils of the Arkansas live in North Little Rock and from my kitchen window I could see PERFECTLY CLEAN REST AREA OLD RIVER BRIDGE ARTICLE INTERSTATE MEDIAN CABLING Trucking Association (ATA) in Little an AHTD crew working on John F. Kennedy Boulevard yesterday. Rock. During the meeting, AHP Patrol Officer First Class Matthew VanWinkle What a hard working bunch of individuals! Temperatures were I just wanted to let someone know Great to see the Old River Bridge in I just wanted to say a quick thanks gave a presentation regarding Level One about the rest area on Interstate 55 just (the March issue of) your very well done to you and your staff for making the in the high 90’s and I don’t think that even slowed them down. I could not inspections which provided an overview outside of West Memphis. I travel quite Highway magazine. Thanks for including statewide interstate median cabling believe when I woke up this morning and saw that JFK Boulevard is now open of the equipment items checked at a lot, and have to tell you that this rest this story. project a reality. While I thankfully have roadside and inspection facilities. While I for traffic. I just wanted to let them know that they are appreciated and at area is AMAZING! It is ALWAYS perfectly Congressman French Hill not seen it ‘in action,’ I have seen where My Very Best, was fairly familiar with the content of his least this citizen of North Little Rock is impressed. clean, and the staff, especially the it has already saved countless lives. these sort of efforts on behalf of all those presentation, what stood out to me was cleaning ladies, are very nice! BEST rest Please encourage your staff to continue U.S. Representative for Arkansas the presenter. area I have ever seen! Please pass this PFC VanWinkle had full command message along to employees. You are SAFER INTERSECTION in this great state! Janet Nydegger of the room and did so effortlessly. His doingKate Porterfield something right! Andrew Moffitt North Little Rock, Arkansas Respectfully, down to earth yet professional demeanor I write to express Faulkner County’s had everyone paying close attention to rather technical information many would Boonville, Missouri appreciation for your outstanding SOUTHWEST TRAIL ARTICLE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION INTERSTATE OASIS BEAUTIFUL REST AREA leadership and attention to detail for consider boring and monotonous. State roads in our County. After the presentation in the ATA Your responsive approach for I really enjoyed your article on the Conference Room, we went outside and Regarding road construction project We recently stopped at the rest area on I am very pleased with the landscaping reworking the Skunk Hollow Road Southwest Trail in the May issue of your PFC VanWinkle, along with two Arkansas BB0109 in Crittenden County, Arkansas Interstate 40 West near mile marker 243 at the rest area near Crowley’s Ridge on Intersection with State Highway 286 magazine. It was an important route for Road Team Drivers, demonstrated an — I sincerely thank you for allowing me (near Forest City), and I was absolutely Interstate 40. It presents a very pleasant was a good example to address the hundreds of people who immigrated to inspection on a tractor trailer. Even in a to review the subject road construction awe struck by the landscaping. Whoever image for visitors to this state. Thanks to safety for the public we serve. Texas in the early 1800s from Kentucky, noisy, busy environment in downtown project file for my clients pursuant to is responsible for this gorgeous oasis theSallye people Waddell responsible. Tennessee, Missouri and the Arkansas Little Rock, it was clear that VanWinkle’s I am proud of the working relationship my Freedom of Information Act request. deserves to be recognized. The hours of we have with the State Highway and Territory. At Fulton, Arkansas, the knowledge and ability to clearly I certainly want to complement the hard physical work that must have gone Transportation Department. Southwest Trail connected with an early communicate with the public is one of employees in Mr. Ron Price’s section into this area is incredible, and I just Jim B. Baker route I have researched and written a his strong points. Thank you, is at www.trammelstrace.com. for their cooperation and assistance in wanted to say thank you for brightening book to tell the story. More information From my experience, complaints helping me to wade through and copy my day with this artistic jewel. I was Gary Pinkerton on officers can sometimes outnumber You are congratulated for having Faulkner County Judge the numerous documents. unable to find any signage referring to compliments, so I wanted to take the Conway, Arkansas which group has undertaken this project. opportunity to bring this young man’s Houston, Texas attention. established a very good office work Would you please pass my appreciation outstanding performance to your environment and a well-oiled team of along to the talented grounds crew? public servants. Sara Caulk Paul M. Claunch Sincerely, Bruce D. Brooke, Esq. Sincerely, Sincerely Yours, Fayetteville, Arkansas Regional Director, Memphis, Tennessee HELP Inc.

38 || WWW.ARKANSASHIGHWAYS.COM/MAGAZINE.ASPX ARKANSAS HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE | JULY 2016 || 39

hey’re positioned at strategic locations across the State, addition to Arkansas Welcome Centers, travelers ARKANSAS welcoming motorists to Arkansas. Attractive and inviting will find Rest Areas at locations across the State. ARKANSAS places to take a break from the road. They are the State’s Each location offers restrooms and picnic tables, WELCOME Tthirteen Arkansas Welcome Centers (AWC). Each Center is open 8:00 a.m. INand like our Welcome Centers, is a great place to rest and enjoy some REST to 5:00 p.m. daily (6:00 p.m. during summer months). Restrooms are time off of the road. CENTERS available at all hours. An interactive map of AWC locations can also be AREAS seen at IDriveArkansas.com. Just click the “Traveler Information” tab.

3 1 8 Bentonville 5 62 Bentonville 62 Rogers Harrison Rogers Harrison 9 Springdale Springdale Fayetteville Fayetteville 6 2 167 Jonesboro Blytheville Jonesboro Blytheville 65 Batesville 65 Batesville 49 49 Clinton 63 55 Clinton 11 63 55 12 167 9 8 40 Fort Smith Russellville Fort Smith Russellville Searcy 40 Searcy 1. BELLA VISTA — HIGHWAY 71 B 64 13 Memphis 64 Memphis Conway Conway 13750 Visitors Center Drive 67 Forrest City 67 2 Bella Vista, AR 72714 12 Forrest City 71 Phone: 479-855-3111 40 40 71 Little Rock Little Rock 2. BLYTHEVILLE — INTERSTATE 55 Mena Hot Springs Helena- 6 Mena Hot Springs 7 Helena- West Helena West Helena 5241 Interstate 55 530 3 530 7. LONSDALE – HIGHWAY 70 Blytheville, AR 72315 70 Pine Bluff 70 Pine Bluff Location: 5.2 miles east of Highway 70B 167 167 Phone: 870-762-2512 Arkadelphia Arkadelphia 10 Direction: Both 65 5 65 30 79 4 79 3. CORNING — HIGHWAY 67 71 71 8. OZARK – INTERSTATE 40 Hope Hope 6717 Highway 67 Monticello Monticello Location: Mile marker 35.3 10 Camden 30 Camden Corning, AR 72422 11 Direction: Eastbound Texarkana Texarkana 1 Phone: 870-857-6014 RV and Truck parking, Vending 82 Magnolia 7 Greenville 82 Magnolia Greenville El Dorado 82 El Dorado 82 4. EL DORADO — HIGHWAYS 82 & 167 4 9. OZARK – INTERSTATE 40 3315 Junction City Highway Location: Mile marker 36.5 El Dorado, AR 71730 Direction: Westbound Phone: 870-881-9160 RV and Truck parking, Vending

5. HARRISON — HIGHWAY 65 N 8. MAMMOTH SPRING — HIGHWAY 63 N 11. TEXARKANA — INTERSTATE 30 1. BUENA VISTA – HIGHWAY 79 4. GURDON – INTERSTATE 30 10. RISON – HIGHWAY 79 3391 Highway 65 N 17 Highway 63 N 10000 Interstate 30 Location: 1 mile south of the Location: Mile marker 57.5 Location: Intersection of Harrison, AR 72601 Mammoth Spring, AR 72554 Texarkana, AR 71854 intersection with Highway 376 Direction: Westbound Highway 79 and 212 Phone: 870-741-3343 Phone: 870-625-7364 Phone: 870-772-4301 Direction: Both RV and Truck parking, Vending Direction: Both

6. HELENA-WEST HELENA — HIGHWAY 49 9. SILOAM SPRINGS — HIGHWAYS 412 W & 59 12. VAN BUREN — INTERSTATE 40 2. FORREST CITY – INTERSTATE 40 5. GURDON – INTERSTATE 30 11. SALADO CREEK – HIGHWAY 167 1506 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive 2000 Highway 412 West 2915 Interstate 40 Location: Mile marker 242.6 Location: Mile marker 56.1 Location: 4.3 miles north of Highway 87 Helena, AR 72342 Siloam Springs, AR 72761 Van Buren, AR 72956 Direction: Westbound Direction: Eastbound Direction: Both Phone: 870-338-7602 Phone: 479-524-4445 Phone: 479-474-9515 RV and Truck parking, Vending RV and Truck parking, Vending RV and Truck parking

7. LAKE VILLAGE — HIGHWAYS 65 & 159 10. TEXARKANA — HIGHWAY 71 13. WEST MEMPHIS — INTERSTATE 40 3. GLENWOOD – HIGHWAY 70 6. IMBODEN/BLACK ROCK – HIGHWAY 63 12. WALDRON – HIGHWAY 71 3697 S. Highway 65 82 12555 Highway 71 704 East Service Road Location: 1.8 miles east of Highway 70B Location: 1.2 miles north of Highway 117 Location: .8 miles north of Highway 71B Lake Village, AR 71653 Texarkana, AR 71854 West Memphis, AR 72301 Direction: Both Direction: Both Direction: Both Phone: 870-265-5832 Phone: 870-772-7511 Phone: 870-735-3637 RV and Truck parking RV and Truck parking RV and Truck parking AHTD PEOPLE AHTD The AHTD employs approximately 3,700 people. We welcome our new employees, congratulate others on DISTRICT 1 PEOPLE promotions and service, and say goodbye to those retiring. new employees DISTRICT TWO • Brandon Cowling, Maintenance Aide II; SYSTEM INFORMATION & RESEARCH • Lindsay McCarthy, Highway COMPUTER SERVICES • Nathan Hill, Applications Developer II Wayne Givens, Motor Patrol Operator/Finish; Kenneth Performance & Needs Analyst I, 10 yrs CONSTRUCTION • Julian Ward, Estimates Technician; Kyle Jackson, Maintenance Aide II; Andrew Jones, Maintenance TRANSPORTATION PLANNING & POLICY • Bill Ryan, Administrative Covington, Engineer; Landon Meeks, Engineer; Selvin Walker, Aide II; Adam Stuart, Senior Mechanic; Justin Wilson, Senior Officer III, 30 yrs Construction Helper; Travis Yates, Construction Helper; Ethan Mechanic Higgins, Construction Helper DISTRICT ONE • Tony Palmer, Motor Patrol Operator/Finish, 25 yrs; DISTRICT THREE • Japheth May, Maintenance Aide II Helen Kennon, Guard, 10 yrs HUMAN RESOURCES • Krista Hanson, Office Administrative DISTRICT FOUR • Brian Miles, Construction Aide II Assistant II; Rita Schmeckenbecher, Office Administrative DISTRICT TWO • John Moorehead, Crew Leader, 20 yrs CORNER Assistant II DISTRICT FIVE • Alan Love, Bridge Repairer I; Adam Pankey, DISTRICT THREE • Ryan Lovell, Motor Patrol Operator/Finish, Engineer I MAINTENANCE • Joseph Mulnik, Engineer; Glen Bass, 15 yrs; Brian Maroon, Maintenance Aide III, 5 yrs Sign Erector DISTRICT SIX • Rickie Bratton, Jr., District Bridge Inspector; DISTRICT FOUR • Jamie Dewitt, Area Headquarters Attendant, Ethan Clark, Construction Field Engineer; Larry Clark, Rest 20 yrs; Travis Evans, Hydraulic Excavator Operator/Finish, 20 yrs; onstruction crews in Monroe PROGRAM MANAGEMENT • Flavia Paolucci-Jacobs, Office Area Attendant; Samuel Davies, Engineer I; Preston Finch, Administrative Assistant V Phillip Snodgrass, Maintenance Aide III, 15 yrs; Robert Mason, County are close to completing Maintenance Aide II; Richard Harrison, Maintenance Aide Rest Area Attendant, 10 yrs C RADIO COMMUNICATIONS • Brandy Kane, Telecommunications II; Clarence Roberts, Maintenance Aide II; Newton Stokes, a project on U.S. Highway 70 in the area Operator Maintenance Aide III DISTRICT FIVE • Bobby Wilkerson, Bridge Repairer II, 30 yrs; Floyd Haley, Assistant Bridge Inspector, 20 yrs; Jon Jones, TRANSPORTATION PLANNING & POLICY • John Lasley, Engineer of Brinkley. The work is replacing four DISTRICT SEVEN • Andrew Hanna, Engineer I; Jaleen Henry, Crew Leader, 15 yrs DISTRICT ONE • David Rose, Guard; Charles Riley, Maintenance Maintenance Aide II; Patrice Johnson, Maintenance Aide II bridge structures with three concrete DISTRICT SIX • John Caldwell, Crew Leader, 30 yrs; Vincent Aide I DISTRICT EIGHT • Joshua Jones, Maintenance Aide II; Mark Turner, Maintenance Aide II, 25 yrs; Ronnie Bashaw, Motor Patrol box culverts and one continuous DISTRICT TWO • James Chaney, Skill Trades Trainee; Darryl McClanahan, Assistant Bridge Inspector; Gordon Parham, Area Operator/Finish, 15 yrs; James Webber, Maintenance Aide II, Maintenance Supervisor; Hector Warnick, Maintenance Aide II composite bridge. Hawkins, Rest Area Attendant; Jarryus Hampton, Maintenance 10 yrs; Dean Teague, Maintenance Aide II, 10 yrs; Leslie Cole, Aide I; Alvin Hill, Maintenance Aide I; Eric Green, Maintenance DISTRICT NINE • William Gann, Maintenance Aide II; David Area Headquarters Attendant, 5 yrs Aide I; Cedric Wade, Maintenance Aide I The work is located between State Green, Equipment Maintenance Supervisor; Gary Hopkins, DISTRICT SEVEN • Charlie Ryder, Sealing Job Superintendent, DISTRICT THREE • Kardareous Coleman, District Caretaker; Crew Leader; Joshua King, Advanced Construction Field 25 yrs; Monte Launius, Bridge Repairer II, 5 yrs Highway 17 and the St. Francis county Pamela Smithpeters, Guard; Layton Medlen, Maintenance Engineer DISTRICT EIGHT • Thale Keisling, District Construction Engineer, Aide I; Laci Culpepper, Maintenance Aide I line and is being administered out of the DISTRICT TEN • Larry Harris, Crew Leader; Bryce Reeks, 25 yrs; Jimmy Daniel, Bridge Repairer II, 20 yrs; James Bean, Engineer I Resident Engineer 13 Office at Wynne. DISTRICT FOUR • Bradly Harris, Maintenance Aide I; James Maintenance Aide II, 5 yrs Whitlock, Maintenance Aide I; Dakota Bunch, Maintenance DISTRICT TEN • Randal Cooper, Storeroom Supervisor, 35 yrs; Aide I; David Carlton, Maintenance Aide I; George Avellaneda, The job was awarded to Simco, Inc. Lenny Fulco, Motor Patrol Operator/Finish, 20 yrs; James Ingram, Maintenance Aide I; Michael Barnum, Maintenance Aide SERVICE of North Little Rock in late 2014 for Maintenance Aide III, 10 yrs; Windell Rawls, Senior Mechanic, DISTRICT FIVE • Lauren Vinson, District Caretaker; Cody ARKANSAS HIGHWAY POLICE • Nicholas Phillips, AHP Corporal, 5 yrs; Kim Reeves, Lowboy/Float Truck Driver, 5 yrs; Sim Rice, $5.9 million. Despite a wet fall and Chestnut, Maintenance Aide I; Joshua Simmons, Maintenance 30 yrs; Louis Hatchett, AHP Corporal, 15 yrs; William Scott, Senior Mechanic, 5 yrs Aide I Jr., AHP First Lieutenant, 15 yrs; Clyde Crookham, Jr., AHP spring, work has progressed well and DISTRICT SIX • Heather Pledger, Storeroom Assistant; Sergeant, 15 yrs; Ricky Smith, AHP Corporal, 15 yrs; Gregory the project is running ahead of schedule. Jeffery Mayweather, Maintenance Aide I; Reginald Fudge, Massey, AHP Corporal, 15 yrs; James Ludwig, AHP Corporal, RETIREMENT Maintenance Aide I; Jabari Jones, Maintenance Aide I; 15 yrs; Timothy Gushing, AHP First Lieutenant, 15 yrs; Larry The improvements are expected to be Curtis, AHP Corporal, 15 yrs DISTRICT TWO • Vernon Fisher, Area Maintenance Supervisor, Maurice Williams, Maintenance Aide I; Philip Graves, 36+ yrs Maintenance Aide I; John Isbell, Maintenance Aide I BRIDGE • Kyle Yeary, Staff Bridge Design Engineer, 15 yrs finished this month.  DISTRICT FIVE • Russell Moore, Senior Inspector, 28+ yrs DISTRICT EIGHT • Sonya Whittenburg, District Office CHIEF ENGINEER'S OFFICE • Leslie Goshien, Administrative Manager; Tommy Bull, Maintenance Aide II; Cloyal Krigbaum, Assistant I, 15 yrs DISTRICT SIX • William Richmond, Maintenance Aide III, 28+ yrs Maintenance Aide I COMPUTER SERVICES • Margarett Hance, Lead Section Analyst, DISTRICT EIGHT • Brigitte Roberson, Resident Office Technician, DISTRICT NINE • Angela Johnson, District Caretaker 30 yrs 28+ yrs DISTRICT TEN • Alex Reece, Maintenance Aide I; Tyler CONSTRUCTION • Hulet Jacobs, Senior Construction Materials Collingsworth, Maintenance Aide; Brandon Anderson, Inspector, 30 yrs; Dorothy Rhodes, Advanced Construction Field Maintenance Aide; James Chandler, Maintenance Aide I; Engineer, 25 yrs; Cory Shaw, Construction Aide II, 10 yrs; Daniel MEMORIALS Jerome Tramble, Maintenance Aide I; Billy Jones, Courtney, Resident Engineer, 10 yrs ARKANSAS HIGHWAY POLICE • Preston B. Lucas, 6/5/2016, retired Maintenance Aide I ENVIRONMENTAL • Robert Reed, Environmental Scientist I, EQUIPMENT & PROCUREMENT • Helen Lois Latture, 6/4/2016, retired 15 yrs FISCAL SERVICES • Nora A. Forte, 5/27/2106, retired FISCAL SERVICES • Robbie Howlett, Insurance Account MATERIALS • Bobby G. Kessinger, 5/30/2016, retired PROMOTIONS Coordinator, 5 yrs DISTRICT ONE • Joe Willie Washington, 5/26/2016, active BRIDGE • Luke Bailey, Senior Bridge Design Engineer; HEAVY BRIDGE MAINTENANCE • Kevin Milligan, Assistant Bridge Eric Romero, Bridge Design Engineer Inspector, 5 yrs DISTRICT NINE • Vernon L. Terpening, 6/8/2016, retired CONSTRUCTION • John Bledsoe, Jr., Advanced Construction HUMAN RESOURCES • Carroll Lathan, Safety Inspection Officer, DISTRICT TEN • Harold W. Blackwell, 6/8/2016, retired Field Engineer 25 yrs; Shannon Peeples, PAHR Administrator, 10 yrs ENVIRONMENTAL • Mary Pearson, Environmental Analyst III MAINTENANCE • Joe Sartini, State Maintenance Engineer, HEAVY BRIDGE MAINTENANCE • Monty Frazier, Statewide 30 yrs; Paul Dorsey, Electrical Plumbing & Mechanical Bridge Inspector Repairer, 25 yrs; Rickey Ring, Sign Crew Leader, 20 yrs ROADWAY DESIGN • Matthew Hammond, Design Engineer; MATERIALS • Raymond Tinsley, Staff Geotechnical Engineer, Kevin Wang, Engineer I 15 yrs SURVEYS • Valarie Nichols, Photogrammetry Lab Supervisor PUBLIC INFORMATION • Glenn Bolick, Special Project SYSTEM INFORMATION & RESEARCH • Justin Lester, Engineer I Coordinator, 15 yrs TRANSPORTATION PLANNING & POLICY • Benjamin Whatley, RIGHT OF WAY • Keith Mashburn, Senior Utilities Coordinator, Engineer I 5 yrs; Deborah Nance, Administrative Assistant III, 5 yrs DISTRICT ONE • Clifton Henley, Construction Aide I; Kendrick STATE AID • Phillip Ammons, Staff Design Engineer, 25 yrs Lee, Maintenance Aide II; Bobby Stephens, Maintenance Aide SURVEYS • Jon Holcomb, Surveys Crew Chief, 25 yrs; II; Marty Walker, Maintenance Aide II Nancy Barnett, Surveys Technician I, 5 yrs

ARKANSAS HIGHWAYS MAGAZINE | JULY 2016 || 43 Arkansas State Highway and PRSRT STD Transportation Department U.S. POSTAGE Post Office Box 2261 PAID Little Rock, AR 72203 Little Rock, AR 72203-2261 Permit No. 2556

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