Construction ongoing outside of Farmington High School as classes start

FARMINGTON, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — After two days of classes for Farmington High School students, one problem will persist: slowdowns due to construction.

The project, which is taking place on Highway 170 — a road that runs right in front of the school — will widen the two-lane highway to three lanes and add sidewalks on both sides of the road.

Jon Purifoy, the principal of Farmington High School, said the section of construction in front of the school is expected to be completed by the end of August.

“It’ll make it a lot easier for people who have to turn into their housing area or turn into our school coming from the opposite direction,” Purifoy said. “We do appreciate that because it’s going to be a whole lot wider and a lot nicer road than it’s been for a while.”

Purifoy said parents have been notified of the construction and students will learn more at Friday’s class meetings.

He encourages students to leave a little earlier in the mornings to account for traffic, obey traffic laws and be careful of construction workers along Highway 170.

“If you are running late, don’t rush it,” Purifoy said. “It’s fine. We’re going to take care of you and just be careful in those work zones.”

Daniel Robertson, a parent of a junior at Farmington High School, said this can be a learning moment for his son — who is a new driver.

“Be aware of your surroundings,” Robertson said, as a message he’ll tell his son. “You’ve got guys on both sides daily that have signs telling you to slow down or stop. So, it’s helpful, teaches them to be aware of their surroundings in construction or just in general, just driving.”

Robertson said the current headaches of the construction are temporary, viewing the project in a broader picture as something that will make Highway 170 safer and something “the city of Farmington can be proud of.”

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