LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture will spend over $500,000 to improve some of the Natural State’s back roads.
The department announced Wednesday that the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program will provide $558,756 to nine projects across the state, including in Northeast Arkansas.
The projects receiving funds are:
- Arkansas County, Eldridge Road Project
- Independence County, Big Creek Road Project
- Lincoln County, Longview Road Project
- Pope County, Silex Road Project
- Scott County, Dooley Road Project
- Sevier County, Allen Road Project
- Sharp County, Bakers Cemetery Road
- Van Buren County, Brickey Road Project
- Yell County, Buckman Road
Eroding unpaved roads can channel rainfall-runoff, increasing erosion and sediment delivery to our streams, rivers, and lakes.
This sediment can have adverse effects on both people and nature. It can fill in gravel stream beds, causing the loss of in-stream habitat for game and non-game fish and other aquatic species alike, make freshwater sources more expensive to treat for drinking water, and ultimately contribute to the loss of lake capacity, further jeopardizing these drinking water sources. Economies that depend on recreational fishing and boating may also suffer from degraded water quality.
Eroding unpaved roads are expensive to maintain, requiring continual grading to smooth out the effects of concentrated drainage flowing across the road surface. Problem roads can also cause excessive wear and tear on vehicles and contribute to high levels of road dust, a significant issue in many rural areas.
Over 85% of Arkansas county roads are unpaved.
All 75 Arkansas counties are eligible to apply for program funding through the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division. Applications for funding are due each March and can be found on the agency’s website or by calling and requesting one by mail.
Click here to view the Arkansas Unpaved Roads application packet.
Interested in applying?
Contact Kevin McGaughey, Program Coordinator
Arkansas Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Division
10421 W. Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Work: 501 682-3908
E-mail: kevin.mcgaughey@agriculture.arkansas.gov
