Project Name | The Connecting Arkansas Program (CAP) | |
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Location | State of Arkansas | |
Project Sponsor / Borrower | Arkansas Department of Transportation | |
Program Areas | ||
Value Capture Techniques | Special Assessment: Sales Tax Districts | |
Mode | Highway and Bridge | |
Description |
The Connecting Arkansas Program (CAP) is one of the largest highway construction programs ever undertaken by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT). Through a voter-approved constitutional amendment, Arkansans passed the half-cent sales tax to construct more than 30 projects in 19 corridors. In 2009, the 87th Arkansas General Assembly created the Blue Ribbon Committee on Highway Finance. The committee was tasked with finding a solution to finance State-wide transportation improvements and recommended a half-cent increase to the State sales tax over a 10-year span. The voters then approved this amendment that is estimated to provide $1.8 billion for highways, county roads, city streets, bridges, and surface transportation. With 36 projects in 19 corridors across the State, the Connecting Arkansas Program (CAP) is the largest highway construction program the Arkansas Department of Transportation has ever undertaken. The project will improve transportation to the four corners of Arkansas by widening highways, easing congestion, and improving traveler safety across nearly 200 miles of four-lane highways and interstate roads. Project selection is based on estimated construction schedules and cost, the need to widen two-lane highways to four-lane highways in vital corridors, and pre-construction work already completed. The CAP will support an estimated 40,000 or more jobs, encourage economic development, and make locations throughout the State more desirable for employers to locate, expand, and conduct business. |
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Cost | $1.8 billion - All projects are currently underway | |
Funding Sources |
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Project Delivery / Contract Method | Design-Bid-Build | |
Private Partner |
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Project Advisors / Consultants |
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Lenders | N/A | |
Duration / Status | The program is currently underway, beginning in July 2013 and ending in July 2023, unless extended by voters. | |
Financial Status/Financial Performance | The design and construction of highway and interstate widening projects will be funded with the estimated $1.8 billion anticipated to accrue from 70 percent of the tax revenue. The remaining 30 percent of the tax revenue will be turned back to local governments for road and street projects - 15 percent each for cities and counties. | |
Innovations | The construction will provide better roads and bridges, encouraging economic development and making locations throughout Arkansas more desirable for companies to become established, expand, and conduct business. Overall, the CAP will:
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Related Links / Articles | ||
Contact | Name | Keli Wylie |
Title | Alternate Project Delivery Administrator | |
Phone # | (501) 569-4984 | |
Keli.Wylie@ardot.gov |