Topic: Hot Springs Bypass (Read 3911 times)

US71 · « **on:** March 29, 2021, 08:26:06 PM »

https://www.hsvvoice.com/story/news/2021/03/29/expressway-extension-remains-target/7046564002/

Updates yo the Hot Springs Bypass extension

The Ghostbuster · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2021, 09:57:58 PM »

Is this the long-proposed extension that would run from the existing US 70/Business 70 interchange, to terminate at the existing intersection of AR 7 and AR 5? If so, I expect the new roadway would become a relocation of AR 7. If that happens, would existing AR 7 become Business 7, or could it become an extension of AR 5?

US71 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2021, 09:59:48 PM »

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on March 29, 2021, 09:57:58 PM

Is this the long-proposed extension that would run from the existing US 70/Business 70 interchange, to terminate at the existing intersection of AR 7 and AR 5? If so, I expect the new roadway would become a relocation of AR 7. If that happens, would existing AR 7 become Business 7, or could it become an extension of AR 5?

Extension= YES

Relocation of AR 7= unknown, but I'd put money on it.

capt.ron · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2021, 01:12:41 PM »

According to idrivearkansas, the new bypass extension will be signed as AR 7 and will connect up to existing AR 7 and 5. It's slated to be complete by mid 2022.

KamKam · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2021, 12:29:16 AM »

I believe the extension will be named AR 7

The Ghostbuster · « **Reply #5 on:** April 01, 2021, 11:17:31 AM »

I remember seeing this proposed extension in my road atlases years ago, and then they disappeared. I had assumed that meant the extension had been canceled, but I am pleased to hear that was not the case.

74/171FAN · « **Reply #6 on:** September 18, 2023, 06:21:24 PM »

TBKS1 (roadwaywiz Discord username) has reported that the Hot Springs Bypass opened today.

KamKam · « **Reply #7 on:** September 18, 2023, 10:47:44 PM »

YAY!! That's Exciting! But I wonder if like AR 530 between I-530 And AR 11, the speed limit on the bypass would also be 65 Mph? Or 55 due to it traveling around the mtns?

rte66man · « **Reply #8 on:** September 19, 2023, 08:05:23 AM »

Quote from: 74/171FAN on September 18, 2023, 06:21:24 PM

TBKS1 (roadwaywiz Discord username) has reported that the Hot Springs Bypass opened today.

https://www.hotsr.com/news/2023/sep/18/ardot-to-open-expressway-extension-today/

Quote

UPDATED: ArDOT opens long-delayed expressway extension
by From Staff Reports | September 18, 2023 at 12:51 p.m.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation opened the 5.8-mile extension of the King Expressway at around 5 p.m. Monday.

The southbound leg of the expressway extension opened shortly before 5 p.m. The northbound lane opened minutes later, shortly after 5 p.m., according to a video feed posted on iDrive Arkansas and area emergency agencies.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

The Arkansas Department of Transportation plans to open the 5.8-mile extension of the King Expressway between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. today, according to Facebook posts made by County Judge Darryl Mahoney and state Rep. Bruce Cozart.

ArDOT has said the more than $85 million extension will cut travel time in half from Hot Springs to Hot Springs Village.

ArDOT previously said the two-lane route connecting the Highway 70 east interchange to the junction of highways 5 and 7 would open in October, which would have put completion 14 months behind the August 2022 date ArDOT projected when McGeorge Contracting began threading the route through the rugged backcountry east of Hot Springs in late 2019.

ArDOT projected a May 2023 opening last spring after revealing its bridge division sent incorrect information to the manufacturer of mechanically stabilized earth retaining walls for the bridge over Mill Creek Road. The mistake wasn't discovered until the walls had been built and proved too short and steep for a proper slope.

"Due to the small angle of the MSE walls, a safe slope along the edge of the roadway was not obtained," according to the $1.17 million change order the state Highway Commission authorized. "Therefore, it was determined that additional MSE walls must be constructed in order to flatten the slopes at the bridge ends."

Issues with bridges over Covenant Trail and Quarry Mountain Road revealed this spring pushed the May opening into the fall. ArDOT said base material under the bridge ends failed to properly compact, causing them to settle and the bridge decks to slide on their bearing plates. The movement closed the bridges' expansion joints.

Drilling compaction grout under the ends, $389,298, was the costliest of the more than a dozen items in the $1.07 million change order ArDOT requested.

The Ghostbuster · « **Reply #9 on:** September 19, 2023, 07:45:31 PM »

Google Maps has not yet been updated to show the completed Hot Springs Bypass extension. If anyone drives on the new roadway in the future, do send us some pictures.

bwana39 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 25, 2023, 12:22:12 PM »

https://fb.watch/nhr5MbzHch/
https://fb.watch/nhrafaWJTW/

https://www.facebook.com/myARDOT/posts/292760406842415?ref=embed_post

Videos of the new HS bypass

The Ghostbuster · « **Reply #11 on:** September 25, 2023, 12:43:32 PM »

Does the Mill Creek Rd. interchange have an exit number? If not, it should get one based on a continuation of the US 70/270 freeway's exit numbers.

Road Hog · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2023, 07:38:32 PM »

Quote from: KamKam on April 01, 2021, 12:29:16 AM

I believe the extension will be named AR 7

Logically it should have been. But nope, they numbered it Highway 5. Guess they didn't want to alter a bunch of addresses on the existing Highway 7.

Concrete Bob · « **Reply #13 on:** September 25, 2023, 10:53:45 PM »

Google Maps now shows the new bypass. It is numbered as SR 5.

bwana39 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 26, 2023, 06:47:46 AM »

Quote from: Road Hog on September 25, 2023, 07:38:32 PM

Quote from: KamKam on April 01, 2021, 12:29:16 AM
I believe the extension will be named AR 7
Logically it should have been. But nope, they numbered it Highway 5. Guess they didn't want to alter a bunch of addresses on the existing Highway 7.

It is not the ones with a stated AR-7 addresses that are the issue. It is "Scenic-7" and Bathouse Row and the Casino are on it. AR-7 remained on Park Street because of the park.

Great Lakes Roads · « **Reply #15 on:** September 29, 2023, 05:08:50 PM »

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 25, 2023, 12:43:32 PM

Does the Mill Creek Rd. interchange have an exit number? If not, it should get one based on a continuation of the US 70/270 freeway's exit numbers.

It does not have an exit number at the Mill Creek Road interchange...

Quote from: KamKam on September 18, 2023, 10:47:44 PM

YAY!! That's Exciting! But I wonder if like AR 530 between I-530 And AR 11, the speed limit on the bypass would also be 65 Mph? Or 55 due to it traveling around the mtns?

The speed limit is posted at 55 mph.

KamKam · « **Reply #16 on:** September 29, 2023, 09:50:17 PM »

Yep it is 55 Mph with 1 Exit (Mill Creek Road) With no intersections between U.S. 70 and AR 7 (The Roundabout) Sights are amazing

KamKam · « **Reply #17 on:** October 02, 2023, 08:13:20 AM »

Someone on YouTube posted videos of traveling on the Hot Springs Bypass if anyone is interested
AR 5 South from Fountain Lake to U.S. 70 link is below

Ar 5 North from Hot Springs to Fountain Lake link is below

The Ghostbuster · « **Reply #18 on:** October 02, 2023, 11:25:05 AM »

Great videos! This is better than any photographs would be. I still think the Mill Creek Rd. interchange should have been numbered.

capt.ron · « **Reply #19 on:** October 04, 2023, 01:23:01 PM »

Nice that the new alignment of AR 5 is a super 2! But ARDOT should have set the speed limit to at least 60.

News:

Author Topic: Hot Springs Bypass (Read 3911 times)