Construction on the final phase of multiple transportation infrastructure projects at the Port of Little Rock began in June. Crafton Tull designed the widening and reconstruction of Zeuber Road, the widening of Fourche Dam Pike, and the extension of Pratt Remmel Road. These projects represent an $11 million investment to accommodate increased traffic produced by the new Amazon fulfillment center and other companies with active plans to locate at the Port.
The Zeuber Road project was funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the City of Little Rock, and Pulaski County. In 2019, the Port hired Crafton Tull to complete a conceptual plan, preliminary engineering report, environmental narrative, and cost estimate for the EDA grant application. Pulaski County then hired Crafton Tull for the design of Zeuber Road, which was completed in December 2020.
The other projects were funded in part by EDA and Delta Regional Authority grants. The Crafton Tull design team worked with Pulaski County, the City of Little Rock, the Port, Little Rock Regional Chamber, and Central Arkansas Planning and Development District to apply for grant funding. The projects were carefully planned around grant funding limits and Amazon’s aggressive construction schedule. The design of Fourche Dam Pike and Pratt Remmel Road started in April 2020, with an anticipated construction completion of early fall 2021.