In 2023, the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) transitioned Highway 161 from a state highway to a residential road managed by Pulaski County. The road then became known as Jacksonville Highway, and the Crafton Tull team was commissioned to complete designs for some needed upgrades to the road to benefit the local community as well as the students, parents, and faculty of Harris Elementary School, which is located along the highway in McAlmont. One of the most noticeable changes along the roadway was the addition of a raised crosswalk in front of the school for added pedestrian safety. This type of crosswalk raises the pedestrian to the same height as the sidewalk and places them in a more prominent view for drivers approaching the crosswalk. Additional signalization further increases this visibility. 

The project also included resurfacing nearly four miles of road from McCain Boulevard to the Interstate 440 Interchange and restriping to narrow the lanes for the inclusion of a multi-use lane for pedestrians. Additionally, improvements included a redesign and rerouting of the Trammel Road intersection, and the speed limit was also lowered from 45 to 30 miles per hour.