WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, U.S. Representative Rick Crawford and other state and local leaders to celebrate the designation of Highway 63 as Interstate 555. The corridor connects Jonesboro to I-55 near Marion and includes the counties of Craighead, Poinsett and Crittenden.
Senator Boozman and Congressman Crawford included language in the 2015 Highway Bill, known as the FAST Act, to allow the designation of I-555. An interstate designation encourages job growth, because some manufacturers and businesses will only consider building in communities that are connected to the official interstate highway system. However, an interstate designation also limits the kinds of vehicles that can travel on the road. This caused a problem, because farm vehicles need to use this road to cross the St. Francis River Floodway. The Boozman-Crawford language enables the designation of I-555 to take place, while providing an exemption for farm vehicles on this short section of roadway.
When: Friday, March 11, 2016
Where: St. Bernards Auditorium
501 East Washington (on the medical campus)
Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401
Time: 11a.m. – 1p.m.
