U.S. Secretary of Transportation Slater Applauds Arkansas Bill Signing

Topics:  Rodney E. Slater

U.S. Department of Transportation
April 1, 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 1, 1999
Contact: Kara Gerhardt
Tel.: (202) 366-5580
DOT 46-99

Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater commended the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Commission led by Herby Branscum, Governor Mike Huckabee, as well as the Arkansas State Legislature, and Dan Flowers, Director of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Commission and former Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt who chaired the Arkansas Citizens Council on Highways and Transportation on their significant bill signing today. This legislation will lead to substantial improvements in Arkansas’s roads.

Last year Secretary Slater joined President Clinton when he signed the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) which increased Arkansas’s funding by 32 percent above ISTEA. When combined with the use of innovative financing techniques, Arkansas, like many other states, is bridging the gap in funding large scale projects. Last year, Secretary Slater dispatched a team from the U.S. Department of Transportation to work with officials on these techniques and to the extent we can be helpful we will continue to provide assistance to the state in the future on financing issues.

Transportation is an essential economic engine for the state and with continued improvements the region will grow and provide new opportunities for its citizens.