The Facilities Management Section is responsible for the design and development of Plans and Specifications and project oversight for construction of new or remodeled buildings, including:
- Central Office Complex Facilities
- 10 District Headquarters
- 84 Area Headquarters
- 32 Resident Engineer Offices
- 24 Rest Areas and 12 Tourist Information Centers
- Weigh Stations
Facilities Management supports and promotes tourism and recreation by designing and assisting in providing Tourist Information Centers and “park-like” Rest Areas. The purpose of these facilities is for the use of the traveling public and they are maintained as such.
The Department, as guided by Facilities Management, constructs Tourist Information Centers at all of the State’s major ports of entry. These Centers are owned, operated and maintained by the Arkansas Department of Transportation and staffed by Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism personnel for the distribution of tourist literature and to provide helpful information to the traveling public as it pertains to the State’s tourist attractions.
The Department, with the assistance of Facilities Management, strategically locates Rest Areas and Tourist Information Centers to provide the services that the traveling public has come to expect and depend on. Facilities Management utilizes research data from other states, FHWA and AASHTO in the implementation of new designs and in the sizing of Rest Areas and Tourist Information Centers.
Facilities Management is responsible for the mechanical and electrical design required by the Department; acting as Resident Engineer for Central Office related building projects and various statewide building projects; assisting the Districts in the maintenance of all their facilities and related equipment and appurtenances; and assessing the present physical condition of Department facilities thru an ongoing process of inspections.
Facilities Management maintains the central complex including ground keeping and janitorial duties.
Electrical Construction And Maintenance
The Facilities Management Section is responsible for new “in-house” electrical construction and major electrical maintenance at all Department facilities; and bucket-truck operations for roadway and bridge lighting and related electrical equipment and appurtenances.
Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program
The Facilities Management Section is responsible for the Underground Storage Tank Program (design and oversight) for Department owned and operated USTs in accordance with the requirements of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).
The Department upgraded all underground storage tanks from 1989 to 1997 in order to comply with The Resource Conservation Act of 1984, at a cost of $1,020,471.82. These tanks were installed with Department personnel and equipment resulting in a major cost savings. There are currently 96 locations and 194 underground storage tanks.
As the Department builds new Area Headquarters, underground storage tanks are installed to ensure total compliance with all EPA/ADEQ regulations. The station attendants at the District Headquarters and county Area Headquarters are required to perform a monthly inspection of the monitoring wells located within the tank excavations. These monthly inspections are a form of leak detection required by the EPA/ADEQ.
Video Surveillance Systems
The Department contracted the installation of the video surveillance systems under Job 001820 in 1998 to provide safety/security at all Interstate Rest Areas and Tourist Information Centers. There are 19 interstate locations with 20 video surveillance systems, consisting of a camera, video reordering, and monitor. The Rest Area attendants are required to perform a daily checklist to ensure proper operation of the system. Facilities Management provides technical assistance and equipment replacement/repair.
Sewage Treatment Plants
Sewage treatment plants are typically located at the Rest Area locations, due to either the remote location of the facility or the lack of local sanitary sewer system. The Rest Area attendants that make adjustments to the plant and perform operational tests are required to have a wastewater treatment operator license. The duties of the attendants include daily maintenance inspections with a checklist to be completed, including daily visual inspections of the plant with ph and DO (dissolved oxygen) tests to be run and documented on an operator’s log.
Also, they must take monthly flow measurements, chlorine residual and ph tests, with a monthly report to be completed. The inspector takes samples for a quarterly DMR (Discharge Monitoring Report) as required of the Department’s NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) permit.
