Politics
Little Rock Infrastructure Bond Measure Focuses on Road Projects and City Employment
The proposed bond allocates $150 million for repairs on Interstate 30 and local arterials while directing funds toward workforce training at the Little Rock Port Authority.
How we reported this
The Little Rock Board of Directors placed a $150 million infrastructure bond measure on the November 2026 ballot after candidates in the city council and mayoral races began highlighting its provisions for road work and job training programs.
City budget documents from fiscal year 2025 show that maintenance backlogs on major routes have grown by 22 percent since 2022. Candidates are now discussing how the bond proceeds would address those backlogs and support employment in construction trades and public works crews.
Effects on Local Services and Daily Travel
Under the bond language, $85 million would go to resurfacing and bridge work on Interstate 30 between the Arkansas River and the Interstate 440 interchange. Another $40 million is designated for workforce development grants administered through the Little Rock Port Authority. The remaining funds target drainage upgrades in the East End neighborhood and signal timing changes along Cantrell Road.
Residents who commute through those corridors would see changes in travel times once projects begin. The bond proposal states that construction contracts must include local hiring targets for Pulaski County workers, which policy analysts say could affect roughly 1,200 temporary positions over the five-year buildout period.
Budget Figures and Next Steps
City finance records list the current capital improvement plan at $92 million for the next two years, with no new bond authority included. If approved, the measure would add roughly $12 million annually in debt service paid from a dedicated sales tax increment beginning in 2027.
Voters will decide the measure on November 3. The city clerk’s office expects ballot language to be finalized by August 15, after which candidates may continue to address the plan at scheduled forums in the downtown library auditorium.