Road to improvement: Highway 170 project groundbreaking

The City of Farmington, in collaboration with Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS), Garver and the Arkansas Department of Transportation, broke ground on May 28 to mark the start of construction for the Highway 170 improvement project.

The project will expand two miles of Highway 170 from two lanes to three lanes from Main Street to Clyde Carnes Road, and add sidewalks, curbs and gutters on both sides. ESS was awarded the one-year, $15-million project. Construction will include 34,000 cubic yards of earthwork, 16,000 tons of asphalt and 134 structures. Work is expected to be complete in June 2025.

“We’re excited for this opportunity and ready to get to work on enhancing road safety for Farmington,” said Billy Wallis, assistant vice president at ESS. “Our team is committed to bringing this highly anticipated project to life and delivering high-quality performance.”

This upgrade is vital for improving the safety and accessibility of the area, especially considering the proximity of Farmington High School and residential neighborhoods. 

“The City of Farmington is extremely happy and proud to finally see this Highway 170 project come to fruition,” said Farmington Mayor Ernie Penn. “This is one of the most important projects for the future growth of our city and for the safety of our citizens that live in this area. This has been a long overdue improvement that needed to be accomplished for our city.”

The widening project aims to address future traffic demands and create a safer roadway for the traveling public. The enhanced infrastructure will support Farmington’s growth and development, fostering a more connected community.