3.1. National Projects

U.S. Route 215, Arkansas

The Project: U.S. Route 215 is an improved two-lane roadway of approximately 15 miles long following along the Mulberry River with steep upward slopes. The road provides access to the Redding and Wolfpen Campgrounds in the White Rock Wildlife Management Area of the Ozark National Forest.

Location: Ozark National Forest, Arkansas

Context Setting: Rural

Road Classification: Rural State Routed

Stakeholders: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department,  FHWA (specifically the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division),  U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission,   Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, and  Arkansas Natural and Scenic River Commission.

The Process:  As a result of thorough stakeholder coordination process, several principles were established for erosion and sediment control during and after construction. The visual environment of the forest, the view from the Mulberry River, and the vistas overlooking the river were deemed extremely important to maintain and enhance.

Lessons Learned: In order to preserve and protect the natural environment and create a built roadway environment that was to be esthetically pleasing, design speed, roadway geometric features, and natural materials were brought together in the context sensitive design (See photograph). 

Some of the built features that look simple are made possible by using geotechnical design methods and special materials that cannot be seen.