Contact: Lori Irving, Telephone: (202) 366-0660
FHWA 5-04b

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced that newly released funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will help reduce congestion, enhance safety and improve traffic flow at key transportation projects around the state. The Bush administration is providing more than $2.2 million for improvements to two sections of Highway 71 and three other Arkansas transportation projects.

"Investing in Arkansas' highways is the best way to get people to their jobs, families to their homes and goods to market," Secretary Mineta said.

Several of the projects will ease congestion on some of the state's most heavily traveled roads. The Bush administration has slated more than $1.3 million for improvements to Highway 71 from Alma to Greenwood and DeQueen to the Louisiana state line and almost $400,000 for the Rock Island Parkway project.

The Hot Springs Bike Trail will receive $46,391 and more than $460,000 is approved for improvements to the interchange at Interstates 430 and 630.

"The funding we're announcing today is an investment in the transportation infrastructure of Arkansas and the region," said FHWA Administrator Mary Peters. "The President understands that these investments are important to our quality of life and to keep our economy moving."

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