Tuesday, August 01, 2017

TOP STORY >> Exit set to open Tonight

Traffic on Hwy. 67/167 in Jacksonville will be reduced to one lane between 9 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thurs-day, according to the state Highway Department.

The lane closure will allow for the opening of the Redmond Road exit ramp and the closure of the Main Street exit ramp for a month.

Traffic will be controlled with signage and traffic barrels.

Meanwhile, the Highway Department has changed its name from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department to the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

Arkansas Department of Transportation director Scott Bennett said, “We are the backbone of economic development in the state. And nothing makes job creation more possible than the work we do. Although we have a new name, we still have the same commitment to safety, efficiency, quality and trust.”

Bennett said the name change will “bring the department into the mainstream of the vast majority of transportation entities, align the department with specific language in federal law, which refers to the various ‘Departments of Transportation’ and identify the department as the point of contact for intermodal development in coordination with Aeronautics and Waterways, for purposes of economic development.”