Arkansas State Highway Commission v. Cordes Motors, Inc.

Robert H. Dudley, Justice.

On December 12, 1988, the Arkansas State Highway Commission filed three separate complaints and declarations of taking in order to widen Highway 68 in Springdale from four to five lanes. The State sought to take the fee title to the land necessary for the enlargement from appellees, Cordes Motors, Inc. and its mortgagee; Barnhill of Springdale, Inc. and its mortgagee; and Elby and Hazel Short. The State pleaded that it already had a right of way that extended forty feet from the center line of the highway and should be required to pay damages only for the land taken…