Summer 2012 || A Publication of the state highway & transportation Dept.

State’s New Heritage Trail System AHTD HELPS TO MARK HISTORIC TRAILS

Voters P&r hOSTS HWY 65 Approve new Documentary Widening IRP FILM CREW completed ARKANSAS Front Cover: Director’s STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION Scenic U.S. Highway 7 Message PerryBack CCountyover:

Arkansas Welcome Center – El Dorado Highway 167 Union County The summer months are a busy time A Publication of THE Arkansas state highway & transportation DepARTMENT for all of us here at the Arkansas State EDITOR Highway and Transportation Department. Randy Ort Our construction crews are taking R. Madison Murphy GRAPHIC DESIGNER advantage of the warmer weather to make Chairman road improvements statewide. Our 2012 Paula Cigainero overlay program is well under way. A $50 4 WRITERS million annual overlay budget is allowing Glenn Bolick us to resurface literally hundreds of miles David Nilles of highways this year across the State. This means a new, safer driving surface for those PHOTOGRAPHER traveling our State in the months ahead. John Jackson This summer, revenue from the Natural Gas Severance Tax is providing an additional Correspondence should be directed to: $30 million for overlays. Funds from this tax are being utilized for resurfacing highways John Ed Regenold Arkansas Highways in the Fayetteville Shale area of north central Arkansas. Vice Chairman Public Information Office P.O. Box 2261, Room 1002 The improvements that these two programs bring about are vital in allowing us to Little Rock, AR 72203-2261 keep our highways in the best shape possible. In addition to resurfacing projects taking place this summer, the Department will begin making improvements on our Interstates beginning at the end of this year under the new Interstate Rehabilitation Program. In a special election last November, voters overwhelmingly approved renewing a $575 million bond program for our Interstate Contents system. Between 75 and 80 projects are expected to be let to contract that will allow us Summer 2012 to rebuild over 450 miles of Interstate highways. The new program will be financed by John Burkhalter Federal funds and the existing four cents per gallon tax on diesel fuel dedicated for this Member purpose. With these improvements, Arkansas’s Interstate system will become one of the best in the country. Arkansas Highways is published by 4...... Arkansas’s Heritage Trail System and for employees of the Arkansas State Let me mention another opportunity to improve our highways coming before voters Highway and Transportation Department as this November. It is a temporary ½-percent increase in the state sales tax. Approval at a medium of departmental news and other the voting booth would fund a $1.8 billion program that would allow us to construct information. It is also distributed free of 6...... Documentary Film follows charge to the public upon request. and improve four-lane highways in Arkansas over the next ten years. If this proposal P planning & Research passes, not only would our highways benefit, cities and counties would benefit greatly through increased turnback revenues. A new State Aid City Streets program would also The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Dick Trammel Department (Department) complies with all civil be created. This program would be similar to our State Aid County Road program that Member rights provisions of federal statutes and related 7...... Interstate Rehabilitation has been used to improve county roads since 1973. Many miles of city streets could be authorities that prohibited discrimination in program Scheduled to Begin constructed or maintained under this new program. programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Therefore, the Department does not The vote in November is an opportunity that we, as Arkansans, need to take a close discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, look at and consider. It will bring significant improvements to our highways, county age, national origin, religion or disability, in 8...... Department Events the admission, access to and treatment in roads and city streets in the years ahead. Department’s programs and activities, as well This time of year our highways are busier than ever with motorists traveling on vacation. as the Department’s hiring or employment Our construction crews around the State will be busy as well as they work to keep our practices. Complaints of alleged discrimination 13...... Public Meetings and inquiries regarding the Department’s highways in top shape. And behind the scenes, I know all of us will be working hard to nondiscrimination policies may be directed meet the demands of providing a good highway system for those traveling in Arkansas. Tom Schueck to EEO/DBE Section Head (ADA/504/Title VI Member Coordinator), P. O. Box 2261, Little Rock, AR 14...... Letters to the Department 72203, (501) 569-2298, (Voice/TTY 711), or the following email address: EEO/DBE_Section_ [email protected]. This notice is available from the ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator in large print, on audiotape and in Braille. Director of Highways and Transportation 2 || www.arkansashighways.com/magazine.aspx arkansas highways magazine • summer 2012 || 3 Arkansas’s Heritage Trail system was officially announced at an event hosted by the Department of Arkansas Heritage in March 2012.

Civil War Trail, Pea Ridge Southwest Trail, Conway

Southwest Trail, Old Washington Trail of Tears, Vill Creek

Arkansas’s Heritage Trail System

At the 88th and most recent legislative session at the State Capitol, legislators passed The Southwest Trail is a general term Department has been busy installing Act 728 which established a State historic trail system known as the Heritage Trail System. for the network of routes connecting signs along Arkansas highways. the St. Louis/St. Genevieve area of “We’ve put up about 670 signs at this Butterfield Trail and the Red River Valley of point,” adds Tony Sullivan, AHTD State . In Arkansas, what had been little Maintenance Engineer. “We estimate we ith the cooperation is the Arkansas Trail of Tears. Following stagecoach driver from New York, more than a footpath before Arkansas are about 40 to 45 percent complete at Wof the Arkansas the election of Andrew Jackson in 1828, established the Butterfield Overland became a territory in 1819 became a Cabell’s Route to Fayetteville and two this time. All of the signs should be up by Department of Parks long-held desires for the lands of the Mail Route in 1858 with the goal of major emigration route in the 1820s. Confederate Approaches (Helena-West summer’s end.” and Tourism and the Department , Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw connecting the Mississippi River and the More than four-fifths of Arkansas’s Helena and Pine Bluff). More trails could be added to the of Arkansas Heritage, the AHTD and Seminole Indians came to fruition Pacific Ocean, delivering mail far faster population by the 1830s had entered “It’s so important for us to remember system in the future. The AHTD is is furnishing and installing signs with the federal Indian Removal Act than by sea. Lines were established the territory along the Southwest Trail. where we come from and to honor what consulting with the Department of Parks identifying the trails on the new system. of 1830. This act allowed the forcible from Missouri to Fort Smith and then The road was improved by the U.S. Army Arkansas was like in its early days and Tourism, the Arkansas History To qualify for the Arkansas Heritage removal of the five tribes to new lands points west, and from Memphis to Fort during Andrew Jackson’s presidency. The as a territory and new state,” Cathie Commission and the Arkansas Historic Trail system, a trail or route must in the Indian Territory (modern-day Smith, with a side-run to Little Rock. The section north of the Arkansas River saw Matthews, Director of the Department Preservation Program to determine the have been established by historic use Oklahoma). All five tribes passed through Butterfield Overland Trail was eclipsed its use decline during the late nineteenth of Arkansas Heritage, stated at a news feasibility of designating additional trails and must be historically significant to Arkansas. Hundreds of members of each by the faster Pony Express in 1860, and century, but the route south of there was conferenceth for the trail system held on as heritage trails. Arkansas or the nation as a result of that of the tribes died of hardship and disease Civil War bushwhackers and hostile still in use for decades afterwards. March 29 . In the meantime, with warm weather historic use. Examples would include on the long trek to Indian Territory, and Indians in the west spelled an end for The final trail on the system is actually “People are already calling the here, it is the perfect time of year to trails established in years past for trade, many more died of hardship in their new the company by 1861. The Butterfield a group of Civil War Trails. There are Department of Parks and Tourism and get outside and enjoy the weather, the commerce, exploration, migration, land. The removal of the southeastern Overland Mail Trail Route is currently eight Civil War trails in Arkansas and Department of Arkansas Heritage asking beautiful scenery and take in some of settlement or military campaigns. tribes is memorialized as the “Trail being considered as a possible National this system recognizes those. They about the signs they are spotting in their Arkansas’s rich history along these trails. There are four such heritage trails of Tears.” Historic Trail. include the Prairie Grove, Pea Ridge travels,” stated Richard Davies, the State For more information on the Arkansas  presently in the system that document The second trail is the Butterfield The Southwest Trail is the third and Little Rock campaigns, the Camden Parks and Tourism Director. Heritage Trail System, visit www. land4 || www.and waterarkans routes.ashighw Theays.com/m first ofa gthoseazine. aspx Overland Trail. John Butterfield, a former trail on the Heritage Trail System. Expedition, the Price Raid Route, The Highway and Transportation arkansasheritagetrails.com. Interstate Rehabilitation Projects Scheduled to Begin The people of Arkansas have rkansas voters over- The Department also had to determine approved it, behind Awhelmingly passed the the type of work to be done on each of program in late 2011 and the projects. the scenes work is preliminary work has been underway For the new program, forty projects underway and now for months. have already been scheduled over the “The people of Arkansas did the right next five years. The first four projects dates have been set thing,” stated Governor Mike Beebe. are scheduled to be let to contract in P&R Lands documentary film role for construction for a “This program is creating jobs, improving November of this year. Those jobs will be safety on the highways and there are no located on Interstate 40 in Pope County, for Innovative Use of Software new Interstate new taxes.” Interstate 55 in Crittenden County, Rehabilitation Improvements are planned on most of Interstate 530 in Pulaski and Saline Arkansas’s Interstates including 30, 40, Counties, and Interstate 540 in Sebastian Program. 55, 440, 530, 540 and 630. and Crawford Counties. hen the Planning and that occurred within any spatial area Jones shared how the Incident Analyst “This program will allow us to make After determining the type of WResearch Division of such as districts, counties or cities could software was used to improve traffic improvements to our Interstate system construction on each job, a preliminary AHTD began looking be identified quickly. With the simple crash analysis. in areas that weren’t included in the last cost estimate and a payout schedule for a low-cost software tool to assist in and advanced “Hot Spot” tools, areas With all of the lighting equipment, rehabilitation program,” stated AHTD for each was made. While that was graphically reporting factors related that show high densities of events also multiple camera angles and retakes, the Director Scott Bennett. underway, plans and specifications for to vehicular crashes on the highway could easily be identified. This allowed scene more resembled a news set than “At the same time, some areas each job were being prepared. system, they settled on the use of the staff to quickly recognize areas along a simple video interview. Intergraph that were covered last time will see The size of the Department’s design Incident Analyst software as their tool. the highway system that may need intends to use the video to show other improvements as well. Improvements and support staff is adequate to handle will be made on the majority of our the amount of work it has during a Little did they know that the maker of further safety analysis. Other features, transportation agencies this innovative Interstates we have in the State.” normal year. However, just as it did for the tool, Intergraph Corporation, would such as the change over time function, use of their software. Construction for the Department’s first the 1999 program, design consultants be listening and learning. were found to be useful in spotting peak The video can be seen on the Internet rehabilitation program got underway in have been hired to assist with some of Intergraph had developed the times for crashes by month, day or hour. at YouTube. In the search box, type:  2000 and, in five years, improved nearly the extra work involved in developing software primarily for use by police and Intergraph Corporation found that Arkansas State Highway and Transportation sixty percent of Arkansas’s Interstate the new projects. Ten consulting Department — Incident Analyst. fire departments in order to identify the Department’s use of their Incident highways. The program received national firms have been signed on for project patterns of crime and emergency Analyst software was very innovative. attention for its innovative construction development services. activity and “hot spot” analysis. The As a result, company representatives techniques. The AHTD will be taking bids on PROD Planning and Research Division was came to visit the Department in Even though construction for the new the first series of bonds to th finance able to apply the same principles to December. They brought a film crew rehabilitation program is a few months the program on September 11 . Then crashes on the highway system. to document the Division’s innovative away, work began long before the election it’s just a matter of months before The Division started using the usage. The crew interviewed Sharon last November. construction begins. software in April of last year. They Hawkins, Section Head of Mapping The first task accomplished was to hire At the end of this new Interstate found that Incident Analyst allowed and Graphics, and Jessie Jones, a financial advisor. The role of the advisor Program, over 75% of the State’s them to quickly compile maps and Assistant Division Head, regarding the is to develop a financial plan that will Interstates should be in good condition maximize the amount of money available with none being in poor condition. charts that reflected the tabular crash Department’s role in safety analysis to the Highway Commission for projects. This will arguably make Arkansas’s data. Using the Incident Count function, and how the Department collected  Stephens, Inc. signed a contract to perform Interstate System one of the best in it was found that the number of events and analyzed data. Hawkins and 6 || www.arkansashighways.com/magazine.aspx that function in November of last year. the country. AHTD Events AHTD Director Scott Bennett speaks at a luncheon hosted by the Paragould Chamber of Commerce. paragould Ground Broken for Bypass First of Four Highway 412 Projects

(L. to R.) Highway Commissioner John Burkhalter, former U.S. Congressman Marion Berry, former State Senator Bobby Glover and Glover’s granddaughter Miss Arkansas 2011 Kristen Glover.

(Left) District 10 and Central Office employees break ground on the Paragould Bypass.

(below) Senator Robert Thompson, Stuttgart Commissioner John Ed Regenold and AHTD Director Scott Bennett at the groundbreaking Railroad Overpass Dedicated for the Paragould Bypass.

Highway Commissioner John Burkhalter Glover noted that when he was first elected, the people Highway Commissioner John Ed Regenold and Sue McGowan, Director of Economic Development and represented the Commission in Stuttgart on of Stuttgart asked him to support two things — a bypass Director Scott Bennett led a group of local CEO of the Paragould Chamber of Commerce, said that area December 16, 2011, to officially dedicate the new Highway and a railroad overpass. leaders on April 18th to break ground on the first of four business leaders are looking forward to having the bypass. 165 Stuttgart Railroad Overpass as the U.S. Congressman “In 1988, the Highway and Transportation Department projects that will create two lanes of the ultimate four-lane “It will be good for Paragould,” noted McGowan. “It will Marion Berry and State Senator Bobby Glover Overpass. came over here and told the Stuttgart Transportation Paragould Bypass. open up properties for development. We are appreciative Both honorees were in attendance for the sign unveiling. Advisory Committee that if they could come up with “It extends the development to this side of town,” said of the investment being made to our infrastructure.” “These are plain spoken individuals and great leaders of some federal money then the Highway Commission would Regenold. “Jonesboro and Paragould are starting to grow Attending the event from Central Office were Jessie our State,” said Commissioner Burkhalter. “I want to thank move forward,” Glover said. “And Congressman Berry just together and I think this will be another good landmark for Jones, Kenneth Scott, Steven Means and Barry Cruz. Staff  Congressman Berry and Senator Glover for their fine work went out there and got us some federal money to make that growth on both sides.” from District 10 that attended include Walter McMillan, and we are proud to be part of this honor for them today.” it happen.” Bennett noted that four phases will make up the 10 Brad Smithee and Shannon Luke.  Burkhalter added that this is the second phase of the 2.5-mile Berry secured almost $6 million of the $18 million for miles of new location for the bypass around the south side Highway 165 Bypass that was opened in December of 2005. the overpass. of Paragould. Initially, two lanes of the ultimate four-lane highway will be constructed. This first project is for 5.2 miles of grading and structures work from Highway 49 South to Highway 412 East. Robertson Contractors was awarded the $21 million contract and began work in late 2011. Completion is expected in summer 2014. Environmental work is nearing completion for the 5.2 miles to connect the bypass from Highway 49 South to Highway 412 West. Plans for the bypass began in 2006.

8 || www.arkansashighways.com/magazine.aspx Commissioner Chairman R. Madison Murphy Events addresses the crowd at AHTD Pine Bluff.

(Left) Commissioner John Burkhalter addresses the crowd gathered for an event to “tie together” the cities of Pottsville and Russellville.

(Below L. to R.) Those attending the (L. to R.) Commissioner Chairman R. Madison Murphy, Federal Highway Highway 247 Bypass event included Administration – AR Division Administrator Sandy Otto, AHTD AHTD employees from District 8 and Director Scott Bennett, Ernie Westfall, and Scott Mullis in Pine Bluff Central Office: Joe Knight, Danny Roy, celebrating the completion of the widening of Highway 65. Gary Buzbee, Scott Mullis, Glenn Bolick, Teresa Wright, Director Scott Bennett, Commissioner John Burkhalter, Keli Wylie, Don Nichols and Amy Heflin(of the Federal Highway Administration). pine bluff to lake village the total commitment to the corridor is Highway 65 almost $350 million. Widening The first widening project was let Desha County Judge Mark McElroy to contract in March of 1988 for the Completed and Speaker of the House Robert Moore construction of five bridge structures were special guest speakers in Dumas. between Lake Village and Highway 35. Four lanes Jefferson County Judge Mike Holcomb Deon Construction of Warren, Arkansas, pottsville // now open russellville and Lester Melton (Jefferson County was awarded that $3.9 million job and Industrial Foundation) were the Pine completed it in March of 1991. Highway 247 Bluff guest speakers. The final two jobs on Highway 65 “The significance of making Highway 65 were completed in the summer of Bypass Completed It was an extremely hot day on July a four-lane highway drives home the 2012. Graves and Associates had the 19, 2012, but it didn’t stop people importance of a statewide grid system in $16.6 million project in Gould and the from coming out to attend the official Arkansas,” said Murphy. “Without that, it Johnsville Company had the $15.6 completion of the widening of Highway really puts us at an economic disadvantage.” million job north of Dumas. Highway Commissioner John Burkhalter and to construct a new location connection to Highway 64. 65 from Pine Bluff to Lake Village. Events Bennett noted that construction on District 2 attendees included Ernie Director Scott Bennett welcomed dozens of Highway 247 is now a five-lane connection from Highway were held that morning in Dumas and in the final 4.4 miles of Highway 82 in Westfall and Tim Kelly; and from the visitors on May 11, 2012, to officially “tie together” the 7 north of Dardanelle, through Pottsville to Highway the afternoon in Pine Bluff. Lake Village to the new bridge will be McGehee Resident Office, Gary Fletcher,  communities of Pottsville and Russellville with a ribbon 64. Access to Interstate 40 at the Highway 363 Exit was Highway Commissioners Madison completed in 2013. “More than half of Charles Smith, Denice Stitt, Chip instead of the traditional ribbon cutting. already in place. Murphy and John Burkhalter, along with that new bridge is in Arkansas, so it is no LaGrone and Karen Davis. “People refer to it as the new Russellville Bypass, but Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson said the day was a AHTD Director Scott Bennett attended longer the Greenville Bridge — it is the what it really does is tie Russellville, Pottsville and even true milestone for the area and predicted a growth in the celebration. Employees from Central Lake Village Bridge,” said Bennett. Dardanelle together,” said Burkhalter. “What better way commercial development along the new corridor. Office attending included Ruby Jordan, Nineteen contracts totaling over $200 to celebrate than having a ribbon tying?” Pottsville Mayor Jerry Williams and Russellville Mayor Public Involvement Section Head in million were awarded to 12 different Three separate contracts totaling $37 million were Pro Tem Randy Horton also praised the opening of the Environmental; Scooter Key, Pavement prime contractors for the widening awarded to construct the 8-mile bypass, according to new bypass. Profiling Technician in Planning & work on Highway 65. Combined with  Bennett. One contract widened existing Highway 247 Members of the Pottsville High School Band entertained Research; Ray Scott, Surveys Crew the new Highway 82 widening and the from two lanes to five lanes. The other two contracts were the crowd before the ceremonies began. Chief; Seth Hickman, Abstractor in Right Arkansas portion of the Highway 82 of Way; and Jerry Trotter, Construction. Mississippi River Bridge ($133 million),

10 || www.arkansashighways.com/magazine.aspx AHTD Events

Work Zone Safety 2012 Emphasizes Public Interstate 40 MEETINGS Conway Area Throughout the year, public meetings are held around the State in communities where roadwork is being planned. These meetings are an opportunity for citizens to hear about and respond to future highway construction happening in their area.

Assistant Chief Engineer for Operations Emanuel Banks welcomed Conway area Highway 13 Extension – Searcy New Connector – Ozark officials to a Work Zone Safety news conference on April Assistant Chief Engineer – Operations Emanual Banks 24, 2012. Construction on Interstate 40 in Conway was speaks at the Workzone A proposed plan to extend Highway 13, southwest of A Location and Design Public Hearing was held in Ozark the setting. Safety News Conference. Searcy, from Highway 267 northward to Highway 36 on March 29th of this year to discuss plans for a new Work Zone Safety is a national awareness campaign was the subject of a Design Public Hearing in Searcy on roadway for the city. Approximately 45 residents met held each April when construction industry leaders October 4th of 2011. Approximately 90 residents from the with Department staff at Ozark High School to learn more emphasize public awareness of work zones and the need surrounding area attended the meeting which was held at about a constructing a new two-lane City Street connecting for added caution. the Valley Baptist Church. Participants viewed displays, Highway 23 and Hillbilly Lane. The new roadway will “This Interstate 40 widening project in Conway is one Mark Windle with contractor Manhattan Bridge, asked questions of the AHTD staff and provided written provide better access to an area of the town that includes of the most highly traveled areas in the State with over representing the Arkansas Chapter of the Association comments on the project design. Ozark High School, the Franklin County Fairgrounds and 51,000 vehicles through here each day,” said Banks. “Add of General Contractors, and Danny Moore, with the Highway 7 – Dover West Side City Park. hundreds of construction workers and suppliers to the American Traffic Safety Services Association, also Highway 62 – Green Forest area and the potential for conflict is there every day.” spoke to the group. Dover Middle School was the sight of a Public Hearing Conway Mayor Tab Townsell gave a first-hand held on December 6th of 2011. Area residents were on A total of 158 people attended a Location Public Hearing account of how the construction affects citizens of hand to learn more about a proposed project that would at Green Forest School on June 21st of this year to hear Conway since Interstate 40 goes through the middle make improvements to Highway 7 on new location in the about proposed plans to improve Highway 62 in the area. of town. He advised that local residents get used to the vicinity of Dover. A total of 70 people visited with AHTD Plans call for widening the roadway on new location construction and learn to be patient when traveling staff and saw plans for three alternatives for the roadway for two miles near Green Forest. Participants saw three through the work zone. in a new location. location alternatives at the meeting. Tips for driving through a construction zone include: Highway 36/67 Connector – Searcy Expect the unexpected, slow down, don’t tailgate, keep  a safe distance, pay attention to the signs, obey road crew flaggers and most of all just be patient. The Downtown Church of Christ in Searcy was the scene of a Location Public Hearing on June 28th regarding a new connector for Highways 36 and 67 in the area. The meeting drew 145 residents attending to discuss alternatives for a two-lane highway on new location. Alternatives for improvements will connect Highway 36 on the west side Conway Mayor Tab Townsell of Searcy with Highway 67 on the north side of Searcy.

12 || www.arkansashighways.com/magazine.aspx arkansas highways magazine • summer 2012 || 13 Letters to AHTD Tire Change Excellent Training new concrete

I would like to give a big THANK YOU I would like to take this opportunity On behalf of Arkansas State Parks I to this guy for stopping and helping me to thank the Highway Police and Officer want to express our appreciation and and my son change a tire after a blow Gene Short in assisting J. B. Hunt on the special thanks to you and your staff out on the way to Little Rock Monday Level I inspection training April 17 and for your assistance in the removal morning. He put the donut on and lead 18. Officer Short did an excellent job and replacement of the deteriorated us into Newport so we could buy a tire. ensuring we received the best possible asphalt and concrete swale near the He wouldn’t take any money from us but information to complete our mission and cabin registration building. Your we are very thankful for him. You have a educate our drivers. He represented the assistance has been invaluable to us. Our good employee in this guy. Arkansas Highway Patrol with poise and partnership has allowed us to utilize the Robin Crowe professionalism. resources of the Arkansas Highway and NOTE: The employee referenced in the above Officer Shorts’ expertise brought Transportation Department (AHTD) to Dea letter is Ronnie Mann, Distributor/Roller enhance the visitor experience at one of r AHTD ANGELS Last week I contacted a Boyd Dickey AHTD, in your maintenance group credibility and realism in training J. Operator, District 5. the many great attractions Arkansas has about a problem with the lack of striping at the intersection B. Hunt operations and litigation and claims personnel. He spoke with clear to offer. of Highway 10 (Cantrell) and University. I have almost been On Monday, I was driving a State vehicle knowledge of the subject and exhibited Our Departments have cooperated on and had a blow out. I coasted to the side of tremendous help sideswiped twice at this intersection within the last few weeks both intellect and integrity. numerous projects across Arkansas and the road, got my wits about me and then we look forward to future endeavors. and wanted to see what could be done. I spoke with Boyd and panicked. I was between Clarksville and Greer Woodruff I would like to commend Arkansas Sincerely, Thank you again for your assistance explained the issue, and he said he would go to this location and Alma. Two of your finest (headquartered Highway Police Officer Sherman Whittle on a job well done. Please pass along in Ozark) stopped to assist me. They were see what, if anything, could be done. He also said that if it could on the help and assistance he did for me on Senior Vice President, Corporate Safety our appreciation to the AHTD staff that complete gentlemen and wouldn’t accept Interstate 30 Friday morning about 10:30 J. B. Hunt Transport, Inc. completed the work. be taken care of, he would get to it as quickly as possible. To my a penny for their kindness. They had my a.m. I had a flat and was changing it when delight, and surprise, the intersection has been freshly striped as tire changed in less than 5 minutes. On dwi detection presentation Greg Butts Officer Whittle drove up, and helped me Sincerely, the back of one of the orange vest was of yesterday. change the tire. I recommend Highway “Cloos” and the license plate was 5859 (I Police Officer Sherman Whittle get a On behalf of the Criminal Justice Director Mr. Dickey was very professional and courteous in my dealings think). I cannot tell you how grateful and promotion in due time. He deserves it. Institute, thank you and the Arkansas Arkansas State Parks with him, and was a man of his word. I just wanted to let someone how proud I am of your employees. They A fine officer and great human being. We Highway Police for your continued above and beyond are literally the State’s finest and to me know how positive my interaction with him was. need more officers like Policeman Whittle. support of the DWI Detection and Angels. I am so thankful for their help. Linda Morgan, Standardized Field Sobriety Test We want to express our gratitude to Wishing Continued Success to the Program. This program was presented Thanks, MS OTR/L, ATP, CEAS III Harvey Purdy the Arkansas Highway Police officers Highway Police Department, to a group of law enforcement officers Susann Walters — Henson and Banks — at the West AT@Work April 25-27, 2012, held at NW ALETA in Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Memphis weigh station. On Tuesday, NOTE: The employees referenced in the above Springdale, and was well received by SMOOTH ride May 29, 2012, we were heading home letter are David Bowles, Maintenance Aide I, those in attendance. and Mark Cloos, Maintenance Aide I, of the Area across the Mississippi River Bridge from I would especially like to extend Tennessee to Arkansas when we ran SPECIAL OLYMPICS SUPPORT ahtd chivalry Maintenance Crew at Ozark ­— Franklin County. As a resident of Sherwood, I would like our appreciation and thanks to Sgt. over a large metal object that tore up to extend my thanks for the repaving of Tim Gushing and Cpl. Brian Harwood, the bottom of our motorcycle (a trike). Kiehl Avenue. I love the absence of potholes Please express our most sincere I wanted to take a moment to say AHP, who contributed greatly to the We managed to get the bike to the weigh Atta boy! (which were really becoming a problem) appreciation to your staff and officers thank you to three AHTD employees quality and standard of the program as station where these men gave us great and the smooth ride I enjoy every day... for all the time and energy given to keep who stopped to help my daughter and instructors. The dedication of officers help in finding a tow to Forrest City and not to mention how good it looks! the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” me change a flat tire. We were on a I want to give you and your staff a very such as these greatly enhance the DWI even the use of their personal phone to burning. The softball tournament, the busy highway near Bono, but no one much appreciated “Atta Boy” for the work I was incredibly impressed with the program in Arkansas and help to reduce make the call to the Honda shop. We feel golf tournament and the convoy have else bothered to stop. Your employees that the AHTD has recently completed efficiency of the project. Each evening traffic fatalities in the State. they went “above and beyond.” We are so become signature events of the Arkansas stopped and were courteous and so on our major city thoroughfares. The a small army of trucks, machinery and Thank you once again for your grateful for their care and concern. Highway Police — for this we are most helpful. Please extend my gratitude re-surfacing allows for much more workers would descend upon Sherwood continued support for this valuable Chet and Eileen Upp grateful. to Jason Orrick, Mitch Little and efficient and smoother flow of traffic — and in the morning we would wake program. Sincerely, Thank you again for all you do for James Green of the Lawrence County throughout our city and the citizens here up to another quarter of the road either Jon Waldrip NOTE: The employees referenced in the above Special Olympics Arkansas. Maintenance Crew. Their actions made are very pleased with the upgrades. Your stripped or completed. The project was Sincerely, letter are Sergeant Lonnie Banks and PFC Juril my day brighter and proved that chivalry continued outstanding support to our completed so rapidly I was shocked. So Henson, Jr. Shelly Yielding Most Sincerely, is still alive. city and the region are truly appreciated. thank you to the project planners and to Highway Safety Program Manager Thanks again. all the workers that made it happen. Tracy Henderson Frank Hash DWI/SFST/DRE Coordinator Thank you, Director of Resource & Development Lorraine Darwin Special Olympics Arkansas Appreciatively, 14 || www.arkansashighways.com/magazine.aspxRoxie, Arkansas Mayor of El Dorado, Arkansas arkansas highways magazine • summer 2012 || 15 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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