Interstate 69 route approved by FHWA

The route for Interstate 69 through south Arkansas has been approved by the Federal Highway Administration, which allows the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department to begin the design and construction of the 103-mi. segment, estimated to cost $784 million.

The section will run from U.S. 65 north of McGehee to U.S. 82 west of El Dorado.

ARMCA annual convention highlighted by awards, officer election

The election of new officers, presentations of awards and the announcement of a special chapter award highlighted the Arkansas Ready Mixed Concrete Association's (ARMCA) annual convention and trade show March 3-4 in Hot Springs, Ark.

New officers for 2006-07 are John Horner, C.J. Horner Company Inc., Hot Springs, president; Jerry Word, Select Concrete Company Inc., Monticello, Ark., president-elect; and Brad DeVazier, Arkansas Concrete Company, Forrest City, Ark., secretary-treasurer. Horner took over the association's top position from Clay McGeorge, Jeffrey Sand Company, North Little Rock, Ark., 2005-06 president.

Serving as directors are Toppy Cohen, C&W Manufacturing and Sales Company, Crowley, Texas; Keith Wetsell, Razorback Concrete Co., West Memphis, Ark.; Tim Eubank, Levy Concrete LLC, North Little Rock, Ark.; Bryan Ward, Mallard Ready Mix LLC, Conway, Ark.; Leon Hedger, Hedger Brothers Inc., Jonesboro, Ark.; Randy Cook, Holcim (US) Inc., Conway, Ark.; Greg Bowman, Block USA, Jackson, Miss.; Bryce Mobley, Mobley Construction Co. Inc., Morrilton, Ark.; Jim Wiley, Ash Grove Cement Co., Fort Smith, Ark.; Robert Richmond, Buzzi Unicem USA, Jonesboro, Ark.; Michael Dugan, Arkhola Sand & Gravel, Fort Smith, Ark.; Zig Vitols, Martin Marietta Materials, Hot Springs, Ark.; and Charlie Weaver, Webco Mining Inc., El Paso, Ark.

Special awards were presented to Johnny Turner, Arkhola Sand & Gravel, Fort Smith, Ark., for his many years of service to the association and the board of directors; to Everett Buckner, S & B Ready Mix Inc., Charleston, Ark., for his many years of service to the association; and to John Hickel, Ash Grove Cement Company, DeQueen, Ark., on his retirement and association work.

It was also announced by Vance Pool, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, League City, Texas, that the ARMCA had been selected as the "2005 State Association of the Year." The award was presented at the NRMCA annual convention recently in San Antonio, Texas, to Rita Madison, ARMCA executive director, and McGeorge.

Among those presenting programs during the seminars were Pool; Joe Dan Johnson, Transit Mix Concrete & Materials, Austin, Texas; and Dale Guyse, Environmental Safety Inc., Dover, Ark.

Other activities included a golf tournament, shooting of sporting clays, trade show and exhibits, and horse races at Oaklawn Park. Concluding the convention was the annual banquet and a program by comedian Kent Rader.