WESTERMAN FUNDING PRIORITIES FOR FOURTH DISTRICT HEAD TO PRESIDENT'S DESK

Today, the House of Representatives passed several funding packages to fund the government for Fiscal Year 2026 for the Departments of Defense, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), Labor, Health and Human Services (Labor -HHS), and Education as well as other related agencies. Within the THUD provisions were several Westerman-backed wins for the Fourth District of Arkansas. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement:

"Our state's infrastructure plays an important role in the safety of our communities - especially for our more rural areas. Runways, roadways and bridges connect rural folks with the vital services they need while increasing access to global markets for our local farmers and manufacturers. Together, they work hand-in-hand to foster the security of its residents and the growth of our local economies. It is a privilege to work on behalf of communities across the Fourth District to secure wins that ultimately invest in the future of our great state."

Westerman secured federal investments for the following projects:

$7 million to the Highway 82 Railroad Overpass

This project realigns portions of Highway 82 and constructs a five-lane grade separation with Union Pacific Railroad. As this section of highway is currently a narrow underpass of the Union Pacific Railroad, this project will increase safety as well as provide a five-lane structure in preparation for future widening of the Highway 82 corridor. The benefits of widening this corridor include increased safety, mobility, enhanced economic opportunities, and improved intermodal connectivity and reliability of the regional transportation system.

$11 million to the Texarkana Regional Airport (TXK) Taxiway-Taxilane Construction

This project is for the construction of a new taxilane and the widening of the full-length taxiway to accommodate all aircraft in the Taxiway Design group (TDG) 5. This project would improve the primary taxiway at Texarkana Regional Airport (TXK) to allow for larger/heavier aircraft to operate at the airport and support economic development of the local community and the region.

$9.2 million to the Demolition, Stabilization, and Remediation of the former Army Navy General Hospital

This project funds the demolition, stabilization, and remediation of the former Army Navy General Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The property is located in the heart of downtown Hot Springs, a major tourist attraction for the state of Arkansas. It is an iconic building that has fallen into serious disrepair and poses a major risk to Hot Springs National Park and the thermal springs for which Hot Springs is known. Demolition, remediation, and stabilization of the property are necessary to mitigate fire risk, secure the site, and remove hazards to public safety.