TEXARKANA, USA (KTAL/KMSS) – Stateline Avenue connects I-30 with Texarkana’s iconic courthouse and downtown district. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) believes that such an important roadway could benefit from a reconstruction project.

“It’s improvements to Highway 71, from Highway 67 down to 7th Street, main line through town. It’s about a 2.5 mile stretch.” says Dave Parker, public information officer for ARDOT.

The roughly $50 million dollar project will be the first time major work was done on the road since the 70s.

“It’s just worn out. That’s the easiest way to describe it is that it needs improvements not only for the main surface, the overlay, to make it quite honestly just a smoother roadway, but also enhancements that are new sidewalks, new drainage improvements.” says Parker.

They are planning to break ground in 2028. The plans are still being finalized until then but there is one specific change ARDOT says drivers will definitely not see once work is completed on the two year project.

“There was a little concern early on that this particular project was going to include a roundabout. It’s not.” says Parker.

They are still asking the public to make their opinions known about what they do and do not want to see happen with Stateline Avenue.

“Any opinion, any comment, anything at all can make a difference. I’ve seen just the slightest little change to a project happen because of public information or public comment and that slight change may not be a big change for us project wise but to the residents here could be significant.”

ARDOT will be accepting input during this phase of public comment until august 21st. You can learn more about the project and how to submit a comment on their website.