FORT SMITH (KFSM) – The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) is scheduled to hold a public meeting in Fort Smith to seek input on a new plan to extend high-speed passenger rail service across the state, according to a news release.
The meeting is scheduled for Thursday (Sept. 25) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the River Parks Events Building at 121 Riverfront Dr., the release states.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend and submit comments, according to the release.
The AHTD is looking at the possibility of extending the south-central high-speed rail corridor from Little Rock to Memphis, the release states.
The department is also looking into the preparation of a service development plan for the existing Little Rock to Texarkana corridor. It is also studying the possible impacts of high-speed passenger rail service on Arkansas’ highway system, the release states.
The AHTD is the state’s rail planning agency, so, it has the responsibility to make statewide transportation plans, including the preparation of the Arkansas State Rail Plan. The plan is an important step for the state to set a direction for freight and passenger rail in the state. It’s also required for Arkansas to be eligible for existing and future federal rail funding, according to the release.
For more information on the Arkansas State Rail Plan, click here.
A similar meeting is also scheduled to take place in Little Rock on Tuesday (Sept. 23). For more information, click here.
