Pea Ridge Military Park

Project OverviewDescripción del proyecto

Located in the Northwest corner of Arkansas, Pea Ridge Military Park marks the site of the 1862 American Civil War Battle of Pea Ridge. Today, this land is protected by the National Park Service as a battleground and serves as a remembrance for the 23,000 soldiers who fought there. Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) was trusted as General Contractor to perform the removal of Old Highway 62, the relocation of Park Tour Road, and park infrastructure upgrades. The crew also completed upgrades to the existing park with horse trailer parking, storm headwalls, lighting infrastructure, paved walkways, and a decorative concrete retaining wall.

Dividing the 6.72 square mile park into six construction zones helped to section out the project and tasks. ESS’s flexibility kept the project on a steady pace, even when plans changed. One of these unexpected changes occurred during excavation of the Old Highway 62. The formed highway was believed to have asphalt 8-10 inches deep. However, upon excavation, it was found to actually be 4 feet deep. The crew took this challenge in stride and adjusted the schedule accordingly to ensure project milestones still be met.

The National Park Service held high standards in terms of preservation and the Arkansas Department of Transportation did the same for the road work conducted. Historians provided by the National Park Service accompanied ESS on all tree removals within the park, ensuring the integrity of those which had been standing since the Civil War. Cultivating healthy relationships with both organizations was vital to the success of this high-quality project.

In the process of excavating more than 64,000 cubic yards of dirt, ESS uncovered various artifacts of interest by the National Park Service. Small items such as cannon balls and the uniform button of a Civil War soldier were uncovered in the ground. Wanting to respect the site’s history while providing the desired roadway, ESS redesigned plans throughout the course of the project.

Although additional measures were taken to preserve both the unearthed artifacts and unmovable trees, the project was completed in 18 months and on schedule. The park was able to maintain operations throughout construction and continues to educate visitors on the historic Battle of Pea Ridge. This project was recognized for its outstanding work by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Arkansas in 2023.