Arkansas – The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is inviting residents of Magnolia and surrounding communities to take part in an upcoming public involvement meeting that will focus on possible highway improvements on the city’s west side. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 14, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and will be held at the First Baptist Church’s Bus Barn, located at 412 East Union Street in Magnolia.
Officials say the event will serve as an opportunity to present findings from the Western Magnolia Corridor Study, a project aimed at assessing current traffic patterns, safety concerns, and infrastructure needs in the area. Attendees will have the chance to review the study’s conclusions, ask questions directly to ARDOT staff, and share feedback that could help guide future transportation decisions.
For those unable to attend in person, ARDOT is making all meeting materials available online starting Wednesday, August 13. Residents can review the documents and submit written comments through the department’s website until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025. In addition, a Spanish-language version of the site will be provided to ensure more members of the community can participate.
Comment forms may be filled out and submitted electronically, or printed and mailed to: Chris Dillaha, Planning & Research Division, P.O. Box 2261, Little Rock, AR 72203-2261. Individuals without internet access are encouraged to call Chris Dillaha at (501) 569-2603 or send an email to [email protected] for more information or to request printed copies of the meeting materials.
The Western Magnolia Corridor Study is part of ARDOT’s broader effort to improve transportation infrastructure in Arkansas by addressing growing traffic needs, enhancing roadway safety, and planning for future economic development. While specific project details have not yet been finalized, ARDOT officials say community feedback will play a key role in determining priorities and shaping the scope of potential improvements.
In keeping with its policies, ARDOT emphasized its commitment to ensuring that all members of the public have equal access to its programs and services. “The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) complies with all civil rights provisions of federal statutes and related authorities that prohibit discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance,” the notice stated. The department further assured that it does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, national origin, religion, or disability in any of its programs, activities, or employment practices.
Residents who have questions about ARDOT’s nondiscrimination policies or wish to file a complaint may contact Civil Rights Officer Joanna P. McFadden, ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator, at P.O. Box 2261, Little Rock, AR 72203, by phone at (501) 569-2298, through Voice/TTY 711, or by email at [email protected]. Free language assistance will also be available upon request, and the notice can be provided in large print, audiotape, or Braille formats.
By holding meetings like this one, ARDOT hopes to strengthen its connection with local communities and ensure that roadway projects address the real needs of residents. The Western Magnolia Corridor Study, with its focus on the city’s west side, represents one more step in the department’s ongoing mission to maintain and improve safe, reliable transportation networks across the state.
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