Two highway reconstruction projects in Arkansas are tracking significantly ahead of schedule, driven by experienced project teams, strategic planning, and significant investments in new heavy equipment.
The first project on Highway 67 in Jacksonville, Arkansas, passes through 2.5 miles of a busy urban area, from Main Street to Vandenberg Boulevard. As one of the heaviest traveled routes in the metro, this area averages approximately 50,000 vehicles daily. The second project on Highway 67, about 6 miles away near Cabot, Arkansas, travels through a rural area.
Both project scopes include the total removal of existing pavement sections, the installation of additional storm drainage infrastructure, and the construction of a new 12-inch-thick concrete pavement — providing three lanes in each direction and adding extensive volume to the frequently congested commute to and from Little Rock, Arkansas. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has already widened the section of Highway 67 between these two projects.
The two sections of Highway 67 will become part of the new Interstate 57, from Little Rock to St. Louis, Missouri. Weaver Bailey Contractors of Conway, Arkansas, received both general contractor contracts.
According to Weaver Bailey Project Manager Cory Cross, the project goal is to increase capacity, decrease congestion, and create a safer travel experience.
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Founded in 1960, Weaver Bailey performs highway construction, drainage projects, soil stabilization, earthwork, and main lane concrete paving. It also takes on reconstruction projects to create new life for existing structures. The company employs about 150 people and has completed more than 1,000 major projects.
Both Highway 67 projects received funding from the state’s Connecting Arkansas Program, one of the largest construction programs ever for ARDOT. Voters approved the program and a 10-year, half-cent sales tax to improve transportation in the state. In addition to increasing capacity, Connecting Arkansas projects will improve traveler safety and promote job growth.
“ARDOT has a long history of keeping our word and delivering on important infrastructure projects,” ARDOT Director Jared D. Wiley said. “These projects would not have been possible without the funding that the half-cent sales tax generates. We appreciate the strong voter support of the two statewide half-cent sales tax initiatives that provided much-needed funding for overdue highway projects like these along the Interstate 57 Corridor in Jacksonville and Cabot.”
The $145 million Jacksonville area project includes building and widening two access roads and converting them to one-way traffic. The access roads are paved with asphalt and the main lanes and ramps of Highway 67 are paved with concrete.
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Weaver Bailey also is constructing two replacement bridges over the interstate at James Street and Vandenberg Boulevard; building a new structure overpass at Gregory Street; widening other bridges; making interchange improvements; and completing 8 miles of drainage work, including adding two box culverts, a triple barrel 5-foot by 3-foot box culvert, and a quad barrel 10-foot by 6-foot box culvert. Crews took the two access roads and pushed them out to make room for the widened interstate.
“This major highway project highlights the different aspects of what ARDOT does,” Cross said. “This Jacksonville project has a wide array of scopes of work.”
The project connects Little Rock with northern suburbs, where population increases have left the road more congested than desired. Contractors must keep two lanes of Highway 67 and the access roads open at all times. Much of the work is occurring at night.
The Jacksonville area project takes place in a confined area. The department allowed closure of some interchanges, which allowed Weaver Bailey to make longer paving runs.
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Work began in March 2023 and is nearly a year ahead of schedule and on track to finish in December 2026, rather than September 2027. Cross credits the people working on the job for pushing it forward. The team also adjusted the schedule to keep work flowing, even if that work was not on the original path. Weaver Bailey also combined stages.
The project included a multitude of utility relocations, including public water, gas, sewer, electricity, and telephone. Weaver Bailey has brought on several subcontractors to build the bridges, including Manhattan Road and Bridge (headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with an office in Little Rock). The bridges feature concrete piers and steel girders.
Garver of North Little Rock serves as the district engineer. BGE of Jacksonville, Arkansas, serves as the department’s inspector.
The $117 million North Cabot project also entails digging up the old road and a full-depth reconstruction of the highway. The first phase included building into the center median. The job also includes extensive drainage improvements, ramp construction, and expanding a bridge with concrete piers, steel girders, and a concrete deck. Work began in March 2024, and Weaver Bailey expects to complete it in November 2026, ahead of the scheduled July 2027 completion date.
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“This is a very complex project,” said Bryan Gaines, Weaver Bailey’s Project Manager for the North Cabot project. “We have done a lot of planning and strategizing to deliver the job with minimal impact to the public. We have found ways to complete the work without complicating commutes.”
Weaver Bailey constructed acceleration and deceleration lanes to access the center median where the work was taking place without affecting motorists’ commutes. Drainage also presented challenges, but the team kept the site dewatered.
The company strives to earn a smoothness bonus, which Gaines said would not be possible without Weaver Bailey’s purchase of new pavers, which are equipped with drag pans and able to monitor the smoothness of the paving.
“It gives us an idea while the concrete is still plastic,” Gaines said.
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Weaver Bailey purchased Link-Belt excavators and six new Gomaco pavers, including a two-track GP4 paver; a three-track 3300 paver; and a four-track GP-2400 paver — all from Clark Machinery Co. in Mabelvale, Arkansas. Clark has been providing personalized service for more than 60 years. The company sells new and used equipment and parts, as well as rental equipment.
“The right equipment is very important,” Cross said. “Clark is great to work with.”
The three-track paver allows Weaver Bailey to pave from either side of the road, which Cross considers important for keeping the project on schedule.
“Our crews did a good job of staying on track and accelerating the project,” Cross said.
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The slipform GP4 can pave to widths of 50 feet and depths up to 19 inches. Gomaco designed the GP4 to make it easy to transport the paver to the job site.
Gaines credits the team for staying ahead of schedule while meeting quality expectations. They have found ways to overcome obstacles.
Weaver Bailey built a concrete batch plant between the two job sites. The company equipped the plant with chillers for hot summer months.
“When this [project] is completed, you will see a huge improvement in the flow of traffic,” Cross said. “People’s morning and evening commutes will be far less frustrating.”
