Sep 9, 2026 · 40 min · 13 segments
In this episode, we dive into the Arkansas Highway Commission, its history, its duties, and its unique organizational structure. Special guests Vice Chairman of the Arkansas Highway Commission Keith…
Cody BessetteGuest
Marie HolderGuest
Ellen CoulterHost
Keith GibsonGuestKevin LeuthringerHostAnd it's an important thing to note that ARDOT is not structured like other state agencies, where the fact that we're run by the commission-
The only other state agency that runs that similar fashion would be Game and Fish.
What did transportation in Arkansas look like before the modern highway commission, and why was that change needed?
So we had, um, our commission was formed in 1913, and then over the years, as different, um, commissions were assembled, as different governors were elected, legislators were elected, it changed many times over the years.
And so the number of commissioners, the powers they had, who they reported to, the structure, all of that, uh, changed many times, and it was very inconsistent for our state.
And we were not able to have, um, the consistent oversight and efficiencies that we, that we enjoy today.
And so, um, Governor, uh, McMath, in, uh, 1949, '50, started looking at this, and he reached out to two legislators, Mack and Blackwell, and they are the ones that formed the amendment to the Constitution.
And so by it becoming a constitutional amendment, Amendment 42, it en- enabled the state to stop changing it all of the time, because it would takes a constitutional amendment to change the structure of the commission.
And that allowed us to really go forward with the funding plan that Governor McMath envisioned to create a s- a network across the whole state for our roads.
And then it also set us up for success, um, because it was, we were just ahead at that point of the federal government mapping out the interstate system for the entire country.
And so Arkansas was able to lead the nation in forming the interstate system because we already had a structure in place that- And it's has served us very well since then.
And that is, and that's why I believe people support the commission, and why it's been such a success for us, is that it's a great system of checks and balances.
And it's a wonderful way for really just private citizen volunteers like me and Keith.
We're just here to help and support the staff and to make sure that the projects are spread around the state.
And it's an important thing to note that ARDOT is not structured like other state agencies, where the fact that we're run by the commission-
The only other state agency that runs that similar fashion would be Game and Fish.
What did transportation in Arkansas look like before the modern highway commission, and why was that change needed?
So we had, um, our commission was formed in 1913, and then over the years, as different, um, commissions were assembled, as different governors were elected, legislators were elected, it changed many times over the years.
And so the number of commissioners, the powers they had, who they reported to, the structure, all of that, uh, changed many times, and it was very inconsistent for our state.
And we were not able to have, um, the consistent oversight and efficiencies that we, that we enjoy today.
And so, um, Governor, uh, McMath, in, uh, 1949, '50, started looking at this, and he reached out to two legislators, Mack and Blackwell, and they are the ones that formed the amendment to the Constitution.
And so by it becoming a constitutional amendment, Amendment 42, it en- enabled the state to stop changing it all of the time, because it would takes a constitutional amendment to change the structure of the commission.
And that allowed us to really go forward with the funding plan that Governor McMath envisioned to create a s- a network across the whole state for our roads.
And then it also set us up for success, um, because it was, we were just ahead at that point of the federal government mapping out the interstate system for the entire country.
And so Arkansas was able to lead the nation in forming the interstate system because we already had a structure in place that- And it's has served us very well since then.
And that is, and that's why I believe people support the commission, and why it's been such a success for us, is that it's a great system of checks and balances.
And it's a wonderful way for really just private citizen volunteers like me and Keith.
We're just here to help and support the staff and to make sure that the projects are spread around the state.
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