Arkansas Highway 20
Encyclopedia
Arkansas Highway 20 is a east–west state highway in Phillips County, Arkansas. The route of 31.76 miles (51.1 km) runs from Lambrook
northeast to US 49 in Helena-West Helena
. Segments of the route make up the western routing of the Great River Road
.
facing south at County Route 622 when the route turns due east. After the highway passes the Lambrook post office, the route serves as the routhern terminus for Highway 318 and turns southeast toward Elaine
. The city brings a junction with Highway 44, after which AR 20 becomes a minor state highway winding along the Mississippi River
. The route passes through the unincorporated community
of Modoc
before forming its only spur route
. This spur runs due south to the Mississippi River. The parent thighway AR 20 continues as a two-lane rural route, meeting AR 44 in south Helena-West Helena
before terminating at US 49.
runs on AR 20 from US 49 to AR 44 in the extreme southern part of Helena-West Helena. The scenic byway follows AR 44 south to Elaine, when the Great River Road joins with AR 20 westbound. The route remains scenic until the junction with AR 318 east of Lambrook.
, designated in 1926. The route began at Highway 3 in east Monroe County
and ran east through Marvell
and Barton
on its way to Helena, when the route turned south. Highway 20 continued south along its current routing from Helena, then along its present spur route to terminate at the Mississippi River. Highway 3 was later replaced by US 49/AR 1 in the area, at which time AR 20 was extended south. Highway 20 was later extended west to the Lambrook area.
on the Mississippi River
.
Major intersections
Lambrook, Arkansas
Lambrook is an unincorporated community in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. Lambrook is located on Arkansas Highway 20 west-northwest of Elaine. Lambrook has a post office with ZIP code 72353....
northeast to US 49 in Helena-West Helena
Helena-West Helena, Arkansas
Helena-West Helena is the county seat of and the largest city within Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The current city represents a consolidation, effective on January 1, 2006, of the two Arkansas cities of Helena and West Helena. West Helena is located on the western side of Crowley's...
. Segments of the route make up the western routing of the Great River Road
Great River Road
The Great River Road is a collection of state, provincial, federal, and local roads which follow the course of the Mississippi River through ten states of the United States...
.
Route description
AR 20 begins near LambrookLambrook, Arkansas
Lambrook is an unincorporated community in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. Lambrook is located on Arkansas Highway 20 west-northwest of Elaine. Lambrook has a post office with ZIP code 72353....
facing south at County Route 622 when the route turns due east. After the highway passes the Lambrook post office, the route serves as the routhern terminus for Highway 318 and turns southeast toward Elaine
Elaine, Arkansas
Elaine is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 865 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elaine is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
. The city brings a junction with Highway 44, after which AR 20 becomes a minor state highway winding along the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. The route passes through the unincorporated community
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
of Modoc
Modoc, Arkansas
Modoc is an unincorporated community in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. It is not recognized by the United States Census Bureau.The town is well-known due its prominent place in the song "Caledonia Mission", written by Robbie Robertson and performed by The Band on their 1968 debut album...
before forming its only spur route
Spur route
A spur route is a short road forming a branch from a longer, more important route . A bypass or beltway is never considered a true spur route as it typically reconnects with the major road...
. This spur runs due south to the Mississippi River. The parent thighway AR 20 continues as a two-lane rural route, meeting AR 44 in south Helena-West Helena
Helena-West Helena, Arkansas
Helena-West Helena is the county seat of and the largest city within Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The current city represents a consolidation, effective on January 1, 2006, of the two Arkansas cities of Helena and West Helena. West Helena is located on the western side of Crowley's...
before terminating at US 49.
Great River Road
The Great River RoadGreat River Road
The Great River Road is a collection of state, provincial, federal, and local roads which follow the course of the Mississippi River through ten states of the United States...
runs on AR 20 from US 49 to AR 44 in the extreme southern part of Helena-West Helena. The scenic byway follows AR 44 south to Elaine, when the Great River Road joins with AR 20 westbound. The route remains scenic until the junction with AR 318 east of Lambrook.
History
Highway 20 was one of the original state highways1926 Arkansas state highway numbering
In 1926, Arkansas renumbered its highways into a more traditional format. The system to be replaced was established in 1924 as Arkansas' first comprehensive highway plan. Roads were designated as "primary federal aid roads", "secondary federal aid roads", or "connecting state roads"...
, designated in 1926. The route began at Highway 3 in east Monroe County
Monroe County, Arkansas
Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population is 8,149. The county seat is Clarendon, while its largest city is Brinkley...
and ran east through Marvell
Marvell, Arkansas
Marvell is a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,395. Marvell was featured on ABC News's World News With Charles Gibson October 6, 2009 telecast as a center of infestation by newer pesticide-resistant strains of pigweed,...
and Barton
Barton, Arkansas
Barton is an unincorporated community in Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. Barton is located on Arkansas Highway 85 south-southwest of Lexa. Barton has a post office with ZIP code 72312....
on its way to Helena, when the route turned south. Highway 20 continued south along its current routing from Helena, then along its present spur route to terminate at the Mississippi River. Highway 3 was later replaced by US 49/AR 1 in the area, at which time AR 20 was extended south. Highway 20 was later extended west to the Lambrook area.
Major intersections
Spur route
Arkansas Highway 20 Spur is a spur route in east Phillips County. It is a former alignment of AR 20 that leads to a leveeLevee
A levee, levée, dike , embankment, floodbank or stopbank is an elongated naturally occurring ridge or artificially constructed fill or wall, which regulates water levels...
on the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
.
Major intersections