Towson Avenue work moves ahead, but Fort Smith still short on money

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is moving forward on plans for Towson Avenue even though the City of Fort Smith does not have all the funds needed to complete their portion of work needing to be done.

ARDOT held a public meeting Feb. 27 at the Fort Smith Public Library to inform citizens on a joint project between ARDOT and the City of Fort Smith to improve drainage and pedestrian safety of Highway 71 B (Towson Avenue) between Highway 271 and Highway 64 (Garrison Avenue).

The scope of the project includes milling and inlay of existing pavement, drainage improvements and sidewalk improvements to implement ADA standards along that 3.8 miles stretch.

Total ARDOT costs for the project are $33.4 million, including $20 million for construction, $3.5 million for right of way costs, and $9.9 million for utility cost.

The partnership has the city paying 16% of the cost with the city’s share not exceeding $2 million. The city has that $2 million budgeted in the street and drainage department capital improvement plan (CIP) for 2027, said Josh Buchfink, public relations manager for Fort Smith.

However, that $2 million is on top of the $24 million to $25 million the city needs to complete the project.

ARDOT completed a pavement preservation project that removed and replaced the top part of the existing surface and overlay in order to address uneven road surfaces and potholes on the same stretch of highway in August. ARDOT is now proposing to correct existing drainage and pedestrian safety issues associated with that stretch of highway.

Under one plan, the state agency would build continuous five-foot wide concrete sidewalks separated from the travel lanes by a three-foot wide berm and curb and gutter, ARDOT documents show. Accessible crosswalks would be provided at all signalized intersections. The cross drains and storm sewers would be upgraded on both sides of the highway to improve drainage along the entire route.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the environmental assessment for the project on Nov. 21. Environmental clearance is expected to be complete by mid 2025, which will allow right of way acquisition to begin.

ARDOT Right of Way Division personnel will contact property owners affected by the project when the environmental process is complete. The initial step in the acquisition process is the property valuation. Once the valuation is prepared, reviewed, and approved, a negotiator will contact the property owner by mail or in person to begin the negotiation process. ARDOT expects to complete the right of way process by mid 2026, according to ARDOT documents.

Depending on utility relocation, construction can begin to be let for bids following that right of way process. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2028, though dates are preliminary and subject to change, according to ARDOT. Once the project is complete, the city will take ownership of that section of Towson Avenue.

But much of the project depends on the city relocating sewer and water lines along Towson Avenue, which the city is still finding ways to fund. The U.S. Department of Defense denied Fort Smith’s pre-application for a $20 million grant to fund water line work along four miles of Towson Avenue, but the city said it will continue to look for other funding sources.

“The street and drainage CIP allocates $1.6 million to assist with the water and sewer relocations, but that is not near the estimated $24-25 million needed for this project,” Buchfink said.