WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman today announced a $1.2 million grant to create a railroad overpass on Highway 18 in Jonesboro, a rapidly-growing area in northeast Arkansas. 

The funding will help jumpstart Jonesboro’s plan to improve rail crossings within the city. Specifically, the $1.2 million will be used to conduct a review and create design plans for an overpass at Highway 18 and BNSF Railroad, which has experienced major congestion due to traffic from Nettleton Junior High and High School. 

“Over the past few years, Jonesboro has become a regional hub—shipping Arkansas goods across our state and country,” Pryor said. “These funds will help us make the infrastructure investments we need to capitalize on this success and expand opportunities for our businesses in the future.” 

“These funds are important for providing a safe and reliable means of transportation to the increasing number of motorists on and along Highway 18,” Boozman said. “I’m confident that drivers will be relieved they will be able to avoid the train traffic.” 

The $1,200,000 grant comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grant Program that invests in transportation projects that will have a significant economic impact on the region and nation. The funding is supported by the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which was signed into law in January.