Greene County, Arkansas – The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is inviting the public to weigh in on a major project that could reshape a key stretch of Highway 49 in Greene County. A Location and Design Public Hearing is set for Thursday, September 25, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Marmaduke Community Center, where residents will have a chance to review plans, ask questions, and share comments about the proposed improvements.
The project focuses on Highway 49 between Marmaduke and the area just south of Halliday, a corridor where traffic safety has been a growing concern. ARDOT officials say the upgrades are intended to reduce accidents and improve travel conditions along the busy route. This week’s hearing will give the public a closer look at design plans and the accompanying environmental assessment, both of which are required steps before construction can move forward.
The purpose of this project is to improve safety between Marmaduke and Halliday,” ARDOT noted, stressing that community input plays a central role in the planning process. A similar public meeting was held last September, but Thursday’s event will go deeper into the technical details and environmental impacts of the proposed work.
Residents who attend will be able to review large maps, engineering drawings, and other materials that explain how the highway could change. ARDOT staff will be available to explain the options and listen to community concerns. For those unable to be there in person, the department is offering multiple ways to access the same information and provide feedback.
Meeting materials are already posted on ARDOT’s website, and hard copies can be reviewed at the District 10 Headquarters in Paragould or at the Marmaduke Community Center. Comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Submissions may be sent online, delivered by mail to ARDOT’s Environmental Division in Little Rock, or turned in directly at the hearing.
To ensure broader accessibility, ARDOT has also made a Spanish version of its website available. People who do not have internet access can still request details or ask questions about the project by contacting Matt Strawn at (501) 569-2281 or through email at [email protected].
Public feedback often shapes how projects like this move forward, and ARDOT leaders have emphasized the importance of hearing from those who use Highway 49 every day. Local residents, business owners, and commuters are being encouraged to speak up about their experiences, especially regarding safety concerns and traffic flow along the stretch between Marmaduke and Halliday.
The upcoming hearing represents another step in what is expected to be a lengthy process of design review, environmental clearance, and eventual construction. For Greene County residents, however, it offers a clear opportunity to directly influence how the project takes shape and how one of the area’s most traveled roads will look in the future.
