As “The Natural State,” it’s safe to assume that Arkansas likes to preserve the things that keep it unique. Arkansans take a lot of pride in the lush landscape, Ozark mountains, wildlife, lakes, and stunning greenery that fills up the tiny state. You might even say that it's this this love for leaving what already exists untouched as the reason that our highways and roads have suffered from lack of upkeep. Many residents prefer to live in small rural communities versus cities, creating a need for more up-to-date highways to connect these towns, but not the funds. This made Arkansas was known for having one of the worst highway systems in the nation up until the late nineties. Thankfully, improvements have been coming along since then, which is how Arkansas is also becoming known for all of its natural allure.
We won’t get into the entire history of our roadways again. For that, please see this post here. However, because of the very slow and gradual progress to build and maintain a state highway system, much of Arkansas stayed a secret. That is, until 1999, when the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department launched a $575 million dollar program to build and improve our state highways and roads. The program was also innovative for how it developed its funding: “raising the diesel fuel tax by four cents and matching federal dollars with state dollars to rehab over 350 miles (560 km) of Interstate highway in 54 separate projects.”
Despite the massively improved state transportation, this report from May 2024 highlights some of the current issues Arkansas still has. Some of the major points to note are that 55% of major roads are in poor or mediocre condition, causing higher deterioration costs for motorists. A total of 38% of bridges are over 50 years old, making them in need of replacement or repair. Arkansas has a higher rate of highway fatalities than the national average, as well.
The good news is that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has awarded Arkansas with $3.9 billion in state funds for highways and bridges, as well as a 37% funding increase over the first three years of the program. All of this is important to note because, well, Arkansas is full of beautiful things to see, and a history of rough highway facts shouldn’t deter you from a visit. (In other words, it seems they’ve learned from their mistakes and are working to make it easier for tourists to see what everyone loves about Arkansas.)
A list of all the things you can do in this state would fill up several posts. In fact, the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism has already put together an extensive website full of what-to-do ranging from outdoor recreation, music and festivals, fishing and hunting, history and culture, and what they call “culinary adventures”—though don’t worry, enjoying rich Southern food is more known for being comforting rather than adventurous. Thanks to being such a small state, locals can drive only an hour to jump into a swimming hole from a rope swing, float along the Buffalo river, visit historical buildings from the Civil Rights Movement, or get scared with friends at the haunted Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs. Fun fact: Hot Springs National Park was actually the FIRST national park! In 1832, Andrew Jackson designated Hot Springs as the first federal reservation, making it the first national park—even predating Yellowstone by 40 years.
So don’t worry, there’s plenty to see and do in this tiny state. With the increasing funds and labor being into the highway system, folks have no excuse to not spend some time in the Natural State, location in the center of the United States. Our warmer winters are perfect for cabin getaways to cozy up to a fire, spring and fall are ideal for your floating, hiking, camping, swimming trips, and summer is probably best spent enjoying historical museums, Southern food eateries, farm-to-table restaurants, and if the water is low in the summer, then a swimming hole makes a nice spot to sit and cool off (it’s also perfect for your littles!). Whenever you come visit Arkansas, remember that Interstate Signways not only made the signs that got you here, but that Arkansas is also our home!
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