The U.S. House of Representatives passed several fiscal year 2026 funding packages on Tuesday that include $27.2 million in federal investments for Arkansas Fourth District projects, including $11 million for Texarkana Regional Airport.
Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) secured funding for three infrastructure projects in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill, which now heads to the president for signature.
The Texarkana Regional Airport will receive $11 million for taxiway-taxilane construction. The project involves building a new taxilane and widening the full-length taxiway to accommodate Taxiway Design Group 5 aircraft. According to Westerman’s office, the improvements will allow larger and heavier aircraft to operate at TXK and support regional economic development.
“Our state’s infrastructure plays an important role in the safety of our communities – especially for our more rural areas,” Westerman said in a statement. “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.”
Additional funding includes $7 million for the Highway 82 Railroad Overpass project, which will realign portions of Highway 82 and construct a five-lane grade separation with Union Pacific Railroad. The current narrow underpass will be replaced to increase safety and prepare for future corridor widening.
The funding package also allocates $9.2 million for demolition, stabilization, and remediation of the former Army Navy General Hospital in Hot Springs. The deteriorating building poses fire risks and safety hazards to Hot Springs National Park and the surrounding downtown area.
The appropriations bills passed the House and await presidential approval.