Weekend Closure Part of Roadway Upgrade for New Feed Mill

By Dale Gathright, Jr., 08/12/20 4:36 PM

 

LITTLE ROCK – Construction work on Highway 195 between Cross Roads and Fulton will require a weekend closure according to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials.

Weather permitting, crews will close Highway 195 to through traffic at the intersections of Highways 355 and 73 from 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14 until 9:00 a.m. on Monday, August 17. Detours will be in place at these intersections that will allow local traffic, but no traffic will be allowed across the Kiamichi railroad crossing during construction. Traffic will be controlled by traffic cones, barricades and signage. Drivers should exercise caution when approaching and traveling through all highway work zones.

With construction underway at the new Tyson feed mill site off Highway 195, bids were recently opened for the upgrade so the road can meet the increase weight and use it will face after the facility is completed. Redstone Construction Group of Little Rock was recently award the bid of over $9.4 million for work on the road.

The complete project will involve overlaying thirteen and a quarter miles between Fulton and Washington, along with related earthwork, trenching and shoulder preparation.

At the March Hempstead County Quorum Court meeting, JP Ed Darling said $9 million dollars is needed to improve Highway 195. He said $3 million will come from Tyson, $3 million from ArDOT, and $1.5 million from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission in the form of a grant. In addition, Hempstead County agrees to take over maintenance of portions of three lightly traveled state highways. These highways include portions of 332, 234, and 355. The total area is about 10 miles. The JP’S approved a resolution to cement the agreement with the state putting in an additional $1.5 million dollars in the project in lieu of the county taking over those roadways.