Jonesboro officials gathered on Wednesday to break ground on a long-discussed expansion of Caraway Road, marking the start of a $5.5 million project designed to enhance safety and ease congestion.
The initiative, debated for more than two decades, gained renewed urgency following the death of Sarah L. Payne, age 33, who was struck and killed on Caraway Road in August 2024.
Mayor Harold Copenhaver said the tragedy underscored the dangers of the roadway and the need for action. “A loss in life is very difficult to overcome, and I don’t want to be that person that didn’t try to lead by example to say, ‘OK, we are going to try to make it safer.’ Everybody saw how dangerous this road was,” he added.
The project, funded through revenue bonds, will widen Caraway Road to five lanes between I-555 and Latourette Drive, before tapering to three lanes around Glenn Place. About a mile and a half of sidewalks will also be added along the corridor to improve pedestrian safety.
City council member John Street, chair of the Public Works Committee, noted the hazards faced by both drivers and pedestrians in the area. “A lot of traffic here. The two-lane road is dangerous — and if you are a pedestrian, it’s not safe at all,” he said. Street described the primary goal as creating safer conditions for daily travel. “Hopefully, this is going to give people safer travel to and from work,” he added.
The Caraway Road corridor serves as a vital thoroughfare in Jonesboro, lined with numerous businesses. While construction is expected to temporarily disrupt the area, some business owners predict long-term benefits.
Marisol Garcia, a former salon owner and the daughter of Sofia’s Jewelry and Novelties owner, acknowledged potential challenges ahead but expressed optimism. “During the process, it might be a little bit of ... a clash in traffic. But as the road keeps expanding, I do believe that it’s going to help our traffic in general here in the Jonesboro area,” Garcia said.
The expansion is part of the city’s $17.5 million bond package tied to the 100K Initiative, which aims to prepare Jonesboro for sustained growth without raising taxes. The bond proposal received City Council approval to expedite key infrastructure projects like Caraway Road.
At this time, no specific traffic detours or alternative routes have been announced. City leaders cautioned that factors such as weather could impact the timeline, but they hope to complete the project by 2027.