For Arkansas DOT, transformation grew from ‘clear and urgent challenge’ of easing congestion on one key bridge

It’s every operations leader’s dream—boost capacity to existing infrastructure without massive capital projects and eliminate a bottleneck quickly with better asset management instead of buying more assets.

On the factory floor, that’s difficult. With a massive outdoor bridge? That’s a few orders of magnitude more difficult.

Yet, that’s exactly what the Arkansas Department of Transportation—a winner in the Transportation category of a Smart Industry Industrial Transformation Award for 2026—achieved last year.

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With digital tools and minimal infrastructure improvements, the department lowered commute times by 30% on the bridge, increased driver satisfaction and lowered operational costs.

Jeremy Hill, IT analyst and network administrator for the Arkansas Department of Transportation, said the project started because the state desperately needed to lower congestion on a key bridge. That typically requires more lanes, which either means an all-new bridge or massive spending on existing spans.

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Instead, the state tried something relatively novel—it removed shoulders on the bridge to create room for one more lane. Typically, that only solves half the problem (inbound or outbound traffic), but Arkansas coupled the extra space with a dynamic traffic management system that allows it to use the lane for inbound traffic in the morning and for outbound traffic in the afternoon.

“The new system integrates with our traffic management platform, allowing real-time lane control, automated signage updates, and incident response coordination. We’ve also implemented remote diagnostics and monitoring to ensure uptime and proactive maintenance,” Hill said.

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He added that the project exposed many issues at the department, making it a great learning experience for the future.

“Our traffic control systems operated in isolation from broader IT infrastructure. This separation led to delays in diagnostics, limited visibility, and slower incident response,” Hill said.

“This transformation not only solved a critical traffic issue but also demonstrated how targeted infrastructure upgrades and smart networking can deliver outsized impact. It’s a model we’re now exploring for other high-traffic corridors in our region.”

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He added that the project exposed many issues at the department, making it a great learning experience for the future.

“Our traffic control systems operated in isolation from broader IT infrastructure. This separation led to delays in diagnostics, limited visibility, and slower incident response,” Hill said.

The department overcame that by installing industrial-grade switches, allowing real-time data exchange. IT and OT teams now collaborate more effectively to allow functions such as:

• Automated signage updates and lane control based on live traffic conditions.
• Remote monitoring and diagnostics, which improved uptime and reduced the need for on-site interventions.