Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Rotarians hear plan for Arkansas' 'good roads'

With some 16,000 miles of state highway, Arkansas is the third largest system in the nation. But the state ranks 38th in the amount of money spent to maintain and repair those roads.

Those were among the statistics offered by Johnnie Bolin, director of the Arkansas Good Roads and Transportation Council to the Prescott Rotary Club June 26.

Bolin said another important statistic is that Arkansas ranks ninth in the number of fatalities compared to the number of miles driven on Arkansas roads. He said the majority of fatal accidents happen on narrow, two-lane roads.

The question I ask is do we have the power to change that? Bolin asked Rotary members. The answer is, Yes, we do.

Bolin said that hes now working to form workgroups in each of Arkansas 75 counties. Those who volunteer for the duty will spend a few hours helping to decide how to best address the problem, and how to promote whatever solution is suggested.

Bolin said several options are currently being discussed. One is to levy a half-cent sales tax on everything except groceries. Another is to increase the fuel tax, including that on diesel. A new sales tax on vehicle-related items, such as tires, batteries and repairs, is another option. Finally, some support the idea that the government should be willing to transfer some money from the states general revenue fund to the highway fund.

Bolin said one important fact people should remember is that the Arkansas Good Roads Council doesnt support any particular option. He said the goal of creating the workgroups is to encourage a larger grass roots effort to help decide how to fund the needed projects.

Regardless of how money is raised, theres always a question of how to divide it, according to Bolin. He said the people of northwest Arkansas believe they should get the majority of any highway funding appropriation because of the sheer volume of traffic in that area. People in and around Mena want better highway access to encourage growth in their area. Meanwhile, those is eastern Arkansas are wondering what would happen if an earthquake took out any of the three bridges that cross the Mississippi River.

Bolin said the road council also hasnt selected a particular priority. He said a state-wide network is vital to the economic growth of the state.

The saddest day in Arkansas is graduation day, Bolin said.

He said thats the day thousands of Arkansas students leave the state for better paying jobs and never return - except to visit family. Bolin said the taxpayers of the state are paying ever-increasing taxes just to send the next generation away.

The answer, according to Bolin, is to focus on the future needs of the state with regard to transportation.

Were constantly having to handle crises, Bolin said. Its time to get out of the box and think about the future. Its Arkansas turn.

For information about joining the local workgroup, contact Nevada County Judge Baker Butler, Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor or Bolin at 501-375-8566. The councils Web site is available at www.betterroadsbetterfuture.org.