NWAOnline’s Legislative Coverage

Besides the $350 million in federal stimulus money that’s going to states, there’s another $1.5 billion in the package that states can apply for as grants for major highway projects.

The state Highway Commission decided today that they will make the Bella Vista bypass the only project it will apply for under this grant program. Also, Missouri will join Arkansas and make this a joint request between the two states.

The $225 million bypass project fits the criteria for the program very, very well, according to state Highway Department Director Dan Flowers and others attending the meeting, including the Arkansas director for the Federal Highway Administration. Arkansas’ chances look good and the fact that Missouri will link up with us makes the odds look even better, Flowers said. The federal Highway Administration will decide which projects it will accept by Feb. 17 of next year, possibly earlier. Any approved project will have to be done in three years after that.