Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program distributes $588,756 for 9 projects

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has announced that nine projects will receive a total of $558,756 in funding through the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program (AURP).

The AURP funds projects that reduce sediment and nutrients from entering streams, rivers, and lakes to maintain and improve water quality.

“Nearly 50% of all public roads in Arkansas are unpaved and this program is an essential tool to fund safe, efficient improvement projects while training road maintenance professionals on best management practices,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward.

Projects are reviewed according to established criteria and selected for funding by the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Technical Committee which includes representatives from various local, state, and federal agencies and organizations.

The AURP, created by Act 898 of 2015, receives $300,000 annually in appropriated state funds and has been supplemented through federal 319(h) Nonpoint Source Pollution Sub-Award Grants since 2019.

Since its inception, the program has provided nearly $9 million in county, state, and federal funding for 64 projects in 25 counties.

The counties and road projects in this latest grant include:

Arkansas County – Eldridge Road
Independence County – Big Creek Road
Lincoln County – Longview Road
Pope County – Silex Road
Scott County – Dooley Road
Sevier County – Allen Road
Sharp County – Bakers Cemetery Road
Van Buren County – Brickey Road
Yell County – Buckman Road