LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is lending a helping hand to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LDOTD) as the Pelican State braces for a potentially severe winter storm.
In response to the storm’s expected impact, ARDOT has deployed a team of approximately 60 employees, including snowplow operators and salt brine tanker drivers, from its southern districts. The team will assist in pre-treating and plowing major highways in Louisiana, including Interstate 10, Interstate 49, U.S. Highway 190, and Interstate 12.
ARDOT Director Jared Wiley expressed pride in the department’s willingness to support its neighboring state during a challenging time. “I am proud of the dedicated ARDOT men and women who have volunteered to assist with this mission,” said Wiley. “Our prayers go with them as they render aid to our neighbors to the south.”
The collaborative effort is made possible through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), an agreement that allows states to support each other during times of need. Through this agreement, ARDOT’s primary mission is to ensure traffic remains safe and manageable on some of the most heavily traveled routes in Louisiana during the winter storm.
“The EMAC ensures that Arkansas will be reimbursed for all expenses during the mission, including salaries, equipment usage, supplies, travel, and lodging,” Wiley explained.
This operation highlights the ongoing partnership between states during emergencies, with the focus on helping each other respond to critical weather events that can disrupt travel and safety. The deployment is expected to play a key role in minimizing disruptions to Louisiana’s roadways during the storm’s passage.