MonticelloLive

The Arkansas State Highway Commission has opened bids for improvements to roadways in Drew County, according to Commissioner R. Madison Murphy of El Dorado and Drew County Judge Damon Lampkin.
     The purpose of the first project is to resurface approximately 1.5 miles of Highway 278 (W. Gaines Avenue) in the city of Monticello.  The contract was awarded to R.M. Courson, Inc. of Hamburg, Arkansas, for $444,508.29.
     “This project will resurface selected sections of Highway 278 beginning at its intersection with Highway 425 and extending eastward,” stated Murphy.
     The resurfacing project is being funded with money provided during the 2007 legislative session by Governor Beebe and the Legislature from the state’s General Revenue surplus.
     A second project will resurface 3.6 miles of County Road 69, east of the Devils Swamp Wildlife Management Area.  Drew County of Monticello, Arkansas, was awarded this contract at $164,999.99.
     “This project will begin at County Road 376 and continue southward,” state Judge Lampkin.
     Murphy noted that the County Road project is funded through the State Aid Road Program established by the legislature and administered by the State Aid Division of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department.  This program provides approximately $20 million annually from the state motor fuels tax to assist counties with projects of their choosing
on the county road system.
     Murphy said work could begin on the projects in six to eight weeks, weather permitting.  Completion is expected in the fall of 2008.