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Breakthrough Solutions
Community and Regional Success Stories
Gravette, The Story of the Giant Culvert
A few years ago, Dean Fladager, the mayor of Gravette, Arkansas
had a mission: to obtain funding to build an overpass to link his
railroad-divided community. When a citizen died waiting for an
emergency vehicle that was stopped by a passing train, the mission
took on new urgency. After months of persistent and regular contacts
with state Highway Department Officials, the mayor searched for new
solutions. While participating in a VISION 2010 seminar, he visited
a local industry and discovered a breakthrough technology – a giant
steel culvert – that was half the cost of traditional overpasses,
yet stronger and easier to install.
The Highway Department, which had been sympathetic to Gravette
but limited by its budget, was intrigued by the new option and
agreed to cover half the cost. More than 1400 citizens raised over
$300,000 through pledge drives and innovative means such as a golden
railroad spike sale. The overpass was installed and the community
became a safer place in which to live.
The railroad overpass was just one of several initiatives
undertaken by Gravette’s citizens as a result of their participation
in VISION 2010.
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