Little Rock, Arkansas – A new round of infrastructure investment is headed into rural Arkansas as state leaders announced funding for six county road projects designed to strengthen unpaved road networks, improve drainage systems, and protect local waterways from sediment runoff.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, alongside the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, confirmed more than $327,000 in state funding will be combined with over $529,000 in local matching funds to support the latest projects under the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program.
Officials said the work is focused not just on transportation, but also on environmental protection. Each of the six approved projects includes measures aimed at improving stormwater management, stabilizing road surfaces, and reducing erosion that can impact nearby streams and soil quality.
Speaking about the importance of rural infrastructure, Governor Sanders emphasized the role these roads play in everyday life across the state.
“In rural Arkansas, county roads are the critical infrastructure families use to drive every day to work, school, church, and home,” said Governor Sanders. “By investing in county road improvements, we’re making travel safer and ensuring communities across our state stay connected.”
The announcement highlights a broader effort to strengthen county-level infrastructure in areas where paved roads are limited and weather conditions often create difficult travel challenges. Many of the selected projects involve raising roadbeds, installing culverts, and improving drainage channels to prevent flooding and washouts during heavy rainfall.
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward said the program demonstrates how collaboration between state and local governments can lead to practical improvements for rural communities.
“Strong county infrastructure is essential for Arkansas communities, and these projects demonstrate what can be achieved when local and state partners work together,” Ward said. “Today’s announcement by Governor Sanders reflects our shared commitment to strengthening rural roads and supporting the people who rely on them every day.”
County leaders also expressed support for the continued investment in unpaved road improvements. Allen Dodson, who serves as Faulkner County Judge and president of the association, said the program helps protect both transportation access and natural resources.
“This Program protects the Natural States’ natural resources and comprehensive network of unpaved roads while making travel safer and fostering the vibrant economy Arkansans need,” Dodson said. “Arkansas’ counties thank Governor Sanders and Secretary Ward for making long term investments for Arkansas’ future.”
The funding will be distributed across six counties, each with projects tailored to local conditions and infrastructure needs.
In Calhoun County, $75,000 will support efforts to elevate 1,800 feet of roadway by 4.5 feet and install concrete box culverts along with additional round culverts to improve water flow and reduce flooding risks. Dallas County will receive $50,248 for similar elevation work and the installation of multiple large and medium-sized culverts designed to improve drainage capacity.
Independence County’s project, valued at $59,217, will focus on rebuilding approximately 2,400 feet of roadway using subsoil stabilization techniques. It also includes reshaping ditches into more efficient U-shaped channels and installing cross pipes to better manage stormwater runoff.
Searcy County will use $35,937 to resurface more than 3,700 feet of roadway with new material, while also installing cross pipes and ditch checks to slow water movement and reduce erosion.
Sevier County’s $31,724 project includes replacing an undersized culvert with a larger bottomless concrete box structure and adding additional pipes to better control water flow before it reaches nearby streams. Officials say this will help reduce environmental impact while improving road reliability.
Sharp County will receive $75,000 for one of the most extensive projects, which includes replacing a low water crossing with a free span bridge, raising more than 1,500 feet of roadbed, and installing multiple drainage pipes to improve long-term resilience.
All projects were reviewed and recommended by the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Technical Committee, a group that includes representatives from federal, state, and local agencies. The committee evaluates proposals based on safety, environmental impact, and long-term infrastructure benefits.
Established in 2015, the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program has become a key funding source for rural road improvement projects across the state. Officials say it works closely with county judges and local road crews to reduce sediment runoff and improve road reliability in areas where paved infrastructure is limited.
The program receives $300,000 in annual state special revenue from the Solid Waste Management and Recycling Fund and is further supported by federal grants and local matching contributions. Since its creation, it has leveraged more than $12.3 million in total investment, combining over $3.8 million in state funding, $1.7 million in federal support, and $6.7 million from local partners.
State officials say this latest round of funding continues that momentum, reinforcing a long-term strategy to modernize rural transportation networks while also protecting Arkansas’ natural environment.
