Transportation officials always have their minds on pathways to the future, and those are usually fueled by population increases and economic growth.
Texarkana has grown 9.3 percent in the last nine years, population-wise.
"All those people are making it an even more dynamic economy," said Marcus Sandifer, public information officer for Texas Department of Transportation's Atlanta office. "And most experts expect business and industry to increase. Also, more people, more business means more vehicles, both personal and commercial."
Highway building in Texas has been proceeding steadily for those reasons and here in the local TxDOT district, that also continues apace.
Sandifer shared some of the future plans.
"I-30 from Market Road 989 (Kings Highway to State Line) will be widening to six lanes, a complete highway reconstruction," he said.
According to Sandifer, this reconstruction is driven by two factors. That area is developing economically, including with industry coming.
Also, those roads are reaching the limit of their 60-year lifespan and would need work soon anyway. So, TxDOT is using the situation to take care of two needs at once, periodical road refurbishment and enhancement in anticipation for the coming increased traffic flow.
"Also, in this area, we will be extending the frontage roads from FM 989 all the way out to FM 3419," he said. "This will open up that sector to commercial and industrial development as needed. Also, among our other projects is a plan to widen Kings Highway from U.S. 82 to Gibson Lane. It will be done in such a way as to interfere as little as possible with local traffic and property and once completed, traffic will be far more efficient as will local drainage."
TxDOT's planning involves anticipating coming needs and trends and planning, according to a timeline.
"Our long-term plan requires us to plan 50 years out," Sandifer said. "We also have the Unified Transportation System (10-year plan) and a four-year plan that is about our more immediate plans. In addition, more distant, speculative plans include concepts like smart highways, technology to expedite autonomous vehicles and the like."
The Arkansas Department of Transportation likewise makes plans in anticipation of transportation needs in their future.
"We do a STIP (Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan)," said Steve Frisbee, district engineer with ArDOT.
"Right now, I-49, the Arkansas stretch, is a big one for us. This length of road running from Fort Smith to the Missouri state lie is estimated to be completed in a couple of years. Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is moving to hook up their end."
I-49, originally proposed in 1965, is a grand highway intended to run north-south from the Port of New Orleans to Winnipeg, Canada. It is almost complete, but one of the remaining gaps is Texarkana to Fort Smith, Arkansas.
"Right now, that project is still seeking funding, an estimated cost around $4.2 billion," said Frisbee. "Next twenty years, if the gap is closed, and we have that complete highway from south to north, it is going to mean major changes for transportation, both for Texarkana and the nation. We expect it to be a big economic driver for the region."
I-30 plays a large role for the Arkansas side of the region as well.
"We estimate about 32,000 vehicles come through the area on I-30," he said. "Half of that is commercial traffic. The road, as it stands now, is at full capacity and needs to widen. A 20-year goal for ArDOT's I-30 year plans will be to widen the route to six lanes. It all comes down to funding. Governor Hutchinson has plans, but November of 2020, there will be a vote on the issue for Arkansas citizens. Between now and then, ArDOT will be conducting town meetings to get out information to the public as well as listening to feedback."
It is not just the ground that will see action in Texarkana transportation. Texarkana Regional Airport is also looking at changes.
"We are building a brand new terminal," said Dr. Kenny Haskin, Texarkana, Arkansas, city manager. "We are also preparing for a flight training school that will be located at the airport. In the next 10 years, we anticipate this to be an area that will expand to include more aviation-type businesses and activities. Already an asset in attracting new business, the airport will become more vital to our economy as time goes on."
Dave Snavely, interim airport director for Texarkana Regional Airport, added that the new terminal is the first of the big projects.
"It will be out next to our ARFF, our Airport Rescue and Firefighting Station," he said. "It was decided that the geographic was most suited to the structure. Also, the road out to that area can handle the expected traffic."
With a new terminal comes a new taxiway for aircraft.
"It will be built in two sections," he said. "The south side began construction last month. The north portion is shorter and will come later. It will be the next step."
Funding is part of it, and Snavely says a series of funding steps are taking place for this project.
"The lion share will be coming from the federal level," he said.
The terminal could start in the next two to three years.
"With an expanded terminal and airport, we expect increased activity with general aviation as well as flight and aviation support," he said. "Texarkana is sitting on the cusp of a boom and transportation will be critical," he said. "This goes for road, rail and yes, air."