Arkansas transportation officials seek public input on freight-, passenger-rail plans

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department will host a series of public meetings this week to solicit comments on a new statewide rail plan and the possibility of extending high-speed rail service to the state.

The rail plan, which will help state officials chart a direction for freight and passenger rail in the state, is required for Arkansas to be eligible for existing and prospective federal rail funding, department officials said in a press release.

Comments on the plan can be made at the meetings, to be held Tuesday and Thursday, and on the plan's website.

Department officials also are studying the feasibility of extending the South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor from Little Rock to Memphis, Tenn., and preparing a service development plan for the existing Little Rock-to-Texarkana corridor. In addition, they're analyzing the possible impacts of high-speed rail service on Arkansas’ highway system.