| Date of event | ARDOT fiscal-year 2026 fourth-quarter report, reported Aug. 21, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Primary location | Hwy 82 from Hamburg to Lake Village; I-69 between Hwy 293 and Hwy 65 (Drew and Desha counties); Hwy 79 and Hwy 270 |
| Key entities | Arkansas Department of Transportation, Highway Commission Review and Advisory Subcommittee |
| Outcome | Projects moved to 2030 and 2031; costs are planning estimates, not contracts |
SE ARKANSAS — The Arkansas Department of Transportation moved several Southeast Arkansas projects to 2030 and 2031, including eight Highway 82 projects between Hamburg and Lake Village, Deltaplex News reported Aug. 21, 2026.
The changes appear in ARDOT’s state fiscal year 2026 fourth-quarter report to the Highway Commission Review and Advisory Subcommittee. The report does not say why individual projects moved.
Highway 82 Hamburg to Lake Village Projects
The eight Highway 82 projects in Ashley and Chicot counties are now scheduled mostly for 2030 and 2031. They include widening east of Hamburg through Mist, Mist to Highway 160, and Highway 160 to Montrose, plus the Montrose bypass and sections toward Lake Village. Individual planning estimates run from $15 million to $50 million. Added together, they total roughly $170 million to $220 million. Deltaplex News calculated that total from ARDOT’s ranges. It is not a contract amount.
Interstate 69 in Drew and Desha Counties
Construction on the next planned I-69 section, between Highway 293 and Highway 65 in Drew and Desha counties, moved from 2028 to 2030. ARDOT’s planning estimate is $50 million to $75 million.
Other Delayed Projects
- Highway 79, Jefferson County: a project south from Pine Bluff moved from 2028 to 2031 ($10 million to $15 million)
- Highway 270, Grant County: passing lanes between Prattsville and the Jefferson County line moved from 2028 to 2030 ($10 million to $15 million)
- Highway 79, Arkansas County: improvements between Highway 13 and Bayou Meto moved from 2028 to 2030 ($15 million to $20 million)
- Highway 49, Phillips County: a railroad structure project in Helena-West Helena moved from 2029 to 2031 ($10 million to $15 million)
ARDOT reports quarterly on road projects of $10 million or more. Years and costs can change as projects advance. Check ARDOT’s construction schedule at ardot.gov. More road news is in iSEARK roads coverage and the Lake Village news archive. Related: Desha County’s Hwy. 277 bridge repair to Oakwood WMA.
Underlying document: ARDOT state fiscal year 2026 fourth-quarter report to the Highway Commission Review and Advisory Subcommittee, as analyzed by Deltaplex News (Aug. 21, 2026). iSEARK did not review the report itself.
