I-49 in Arkansas

[roadman65]

ARDOT fixing to do a bid letting for construction of the new I-49 Arkansas Welcome Center off of what they erroneously call Exit 100 this week.  Here's the detailed plans for the new Welcome Center:

https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/090580_plans-1.pdf

Error 404 it leads to

[MikieTimT]

ARDOT fixing to do a bid letting for construction of the new I-49 Arkansas Welcome Center off of what they erroneously call Exit 100 this week.  Here's the detailed plans for the new Welcome Center:

https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/090580_plans-1.pdf

Error 404 it leads to

ARDOT in their infinite wisdom changed the link since I posted.  The letting was in July instead of June as well since there were no bidders in June.

https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/090580_plans.pdf

https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/July-31-2024-Letting-Awards-List.pdf

[MikieTimT]

How long will the MLK IH-49 interchange take to get completed? I'm starting the line at 30 months??? Im assuming both 49 N/S bridges will need to be rebuilt, to support a total of 8 to 10 lanes? What other interchange projects are set to get started on IH 49? "Tease The Folks!"

The IH 49/US 412 interchange should have been rebuilt 20+ years ago, IMO

Nope.  Going to just be 6 lanes, but with a 12' inside shoulder on each side of the barrier.  The project info can be found at https://vpiph03-job-040846-hwy-62-interchange-improvements-ardot.hub.arcgis.com/

I haven't heard of any other I-49 interchanges anytime soon, other than the eastbound section of AR-612 to AR-265, which should complete the 4 level stack.  They're going to have to make the mainline I-49 lanes into a pair of overpasses, which will make for a travel headache (nightmare?) in the middle of a stretch of I-49 that has a 2023 AADT of 108K.  Project info can be found at https://vpiph03-pi-job-090621-en-ardot.hub.arcgis.com/

I'll check on the estimated completion date on the construction sign for the MLK exit project later this week when I head south next.  ARDOT does give estimates on their project road signs that generally aren't far off, I-30 widening to US-70 in Saline County excepted.

[MikieTimT]

The Wedington Drive exit (AR-16W/AR-16S, Exit 64) is finally finished.  Much improved throughput with 7 lanes now between Salem Rd. and I-49 with 2 exit lanes for the northbound I-49 parclo along with 2 through lanes eastbound to go along with 3 lanes westbound with the rightmost lane a forced exit onto N. Salem Rd.

Still several confused drivers (or lots of attempted line cutters) darting over at the last minute.  The parclo is 2 lanes that zipper into 1 under the Wedington Dr. overpass with the incoming westbound Wedington/I-49 northbound onramp zippering into the onramp which becomes the exit-only offramp for Steven Carr Memorial Blvd/Porter Rd./Mt. Comfort Rd./Exit 65.  That exit has too many road names to be made into a memorial exit as well.

I'll take some video both directions the next chance I get and upload to YouTube.

The MLK exit (Exit 62) has started prepwork for its reconfiguration now.

Northbound I-49 2-lane Parclo from eastbound Wedington Dr.

[MikieTimT]

How long will the MLK IH-49 interchange take to get completed? I'm starting the line at 30 months??? Im assuming both 49 N/S bridges will need to be rebuilt, to support a total of 8 to 10 lanes? What other interchange projects are set to get started on IH 49? "Tease The Folks!"

The IH 49/US 412 interchange should have been rebuilt 20+ years ago, IMO

Nope.  Going to just be 6 lanes, but with a 12' inside shoulder on each side of the barrier.  The project info can be found at https://vpiph03-job-040846-hwy-62-interchange-improvements-ardot.hub.arcgis.com/

I haven't heard of any other I-49 interchanges anytime soon, other than the eastbound section of AR-612 to AR-265, which should complete the 4 level stack.  They're going to have to make the mainline I-49 lanes into a pair of overpasses, which will make for a travel headache (nightmare?) in the middle of a stretch of I-49 that has a 2023 AADT of 108K.  Project info can be found at https://vpiph03-pi-job-090621-en-ardot.hub.arcgis.com/

I'll check on the estimated completion date on the construction sign for the MLK exit project later this week when I head south next.  ARDOT does give estimates on their project road signs that generally aren't far off, I-30 widening to US-70 in Saline County excepted.

There is one other interchange in the works for I-49 in NWA I forgot about.  It's a new one in Bentonville to convert the NE J St. overpass over I-49 to an actual interchange.

https://nejstreetinterchange.transportationplanroom.com/

[The Ghostbuster]

When might this new interchange be constructed? Or is it too early in the process for a construction date to have been set?

[edwaleni]

How long will the MLK IH-49 interchange take to get completed? I'm starting the line at 30 months??? Im assuming both 49 N/S bridges will need to be rebuilt, to support a total of 8 to 10 lanes? What other interchange projects are set to get started on IH 49? "Tease The Folks!"

The IH 49/US 412 interchange should have been rebuilt 20+ years ago, IMO

Nope.  Going to just be 6 lanes, but with a 12' inside shoulder on each side of the barrier.  The project info can be found at https://vpiph03-job-040846-hwy-62-interchange-improvements-ardot.hub.arcgis.com/

I haven't heard of any other I-49 interchanges anytime soon, other than the eastbound section of AR-612 to AR-265, which should complete the 4 level stack.  They're going to have to make the mainline I-49 lanes into a pair of overpasses, which will make for a travel headache (nightmare?) in the middle of a stretch of I-49 that has a 2023 AADT of 108K.  Project info can be found at https://vpiph03-pi-job-090621-en-ardot.hub.arcgis.com/

I'll check on the estimated completion date on the construction sign for the MLK exit project later this week when I head south next.  ARDOT does give estimates on their project road signs that generally aren't far off, I-30 widening to US-70 in Saline County excepted.

There is one other interchange in the works for I-49 in NWA I forgot about.  It's a new one in Bentonville to convert the NE J St. overpass over I-49 to an actual interchange.

https://nejstreetinterchange.transportationplanroom.com/

I saw this in another thread. I know why the city fathers want it, they say they need more direct access to downtown Bentonville from I-49, so they want a ramp at J street.

J Street currently is a 1.25 lane gravel road from I-49 down to Brewer Circle. Going further south it is a simple 2 lane suburban street to DeShields and then a 3 lane with a center left turn lane to downtown to Center.

This is more than just an exit ramp, this is the construction of a new major arterial.

There are 2 major charitible based attractions on J Street, entrance to the Crystal Gardens ( a Walton pet project) and the Amazeum ( a Scott Family pet project). You can only get to them if you exit at Central an use DeShields, or if you get off at US71 and cut over at Tiger Blvd.

If I was a big donor/founder of a museum, I too would want tourists to have easy access to my venue.

Problem is J Street is very residential and they want to jam more traffic down it.

I am guessing they will put a heavy truck restriction on J Street to keep the semi's off the route.

[MikieTimT]

When might this new interchange be constructed? Or is it too early in the process for a construction date to have been set?

2026 according to the
2023-2026 STIP

[MikieTimT]

How long will the MLK IH-49 interchange take to get completed? I'm starting the line at 30 months??? Im assuming both 49 N/S bridges will need to be rebuilt, to support a total of 8 to 10 lanes? What other interchange projects are set to get started on IH 49? "Tease The Folks!"

The IH 49/US 412 interchange should have been rebuilt 20+ years ago, IMO

Nope.  Going to just be 6 lanes, but with a 12' inside shoulder on each side of the barrier.  The project info can be found at https://vpiph03-job-040846-hwy-62-interchange-improvements-ardot.hub.arcgis.com/

I haven't heard of any other I-49 interchanges anytime soon, other than the eastbound section of AR-612 to AR-265, which should complete the 4 level stack.  They're going to have to make the mainline I-49 lanes into a pair of overpasses, which will make for a travel headache (nightmare?) in the middle of a stretch of I-49 that has a 2023 AADT of 108K.  Project info can be found at https://vpiph03-pi-job-090621-en-ardot.hub.arcgis.com/

I'll check on the estimated completion date on the construction sign for the MLK exit project later this week when I head south next.  ARDOT does give estimates on their project road signs that generally aren't far off, I-30 widening to US-70 in Saline County excepted.

There is one other interchange in the works for I-49 in NWA I forgot about.  It's a new one in Bentonville to convert the NE J St. overpass over I-49 to an actual interchange.

https://nejstreetinterchange.transportationplanroom.com/

I saw this in another thread. I know why the city fathers want it, they say they need more direct access to downtown Bentonville from I-49, so they want a ramp at J street.

J Street currently is a 1.25 lane gravel road from I-49 down to Brewer Circle. Going further south it is a simple 2 lane suburban street to DeShields and then a 3 lane with a center left turn lane to downtown to Center.

This is more than just an exit ramp, this is the construction of a new major arterial.

There are 2 major charitible based attractions on J Street, entrance to the Crystal Gardens ( a Walton pet project) and the Amazeum ( a Scott Family pet project). You can only get to them if you exit at Central an use DeShields, or if you get off at US71 and cut over at Tiger Blvd.

If I was a big donor/founder of a museum, I too would want tourists to have easy access to my venue.

Problem is J Street is very residential and they want to jam more traffic down it.

I am guessing they will put a heavy truck restriction on J Street to keep the semi's off the route.

The Walton grandkids' mountain biking trail system development arm is expanding the mileage up that direction as well towards and into Bella Vista, so I'm sure that there's some trailheads that direction that will be easier to access with an exit ramp.  I'm sure some residential developers have acres upon acres snapped up along NE J St. awaiting this project's completion as well.  Probably some commercial lots locked and loaded for some quick stops and such too.  What they need to do is put a Buc-ee's there and call it a day.

[edwaleni]

What they need to do is put a Buc-ee's there and call it a day.

I was hoping for a Buc-ee's at the Hiwasse/Gravette exit on I-49 myself.

Bentonville already has the bucks, spread the wealth to the rest I say.

[MikieTimT]

What they need to do is put a Buc-ee's there and call it a day.

I was hoping for a Buc-ee's at the Hiwasse/Gravette exit on I-49 myself.

Bentonville already has the bucks, spread the wealth to the rest I say.

Probably cheaper real estate off the Gravette exits too.  Bentonville doesn't need help generating traffic regardless.  They are doing just fine by themselves.

[MikieTimT]

The Wedington Drive exit (AR-16W/AR-16S, Exit 64) is finally finished.  Much improved throughput with 7 lanes now between Salem Rd. and I-49 with 2 exit lanes for the northbound I-49 parclo along with 2 through lanes eastbound to go along with 3 lanes westbound with the rightmost lane a forced exit onto N. Salem Rd.

Still several confused drivers (or lots of attempted line cutters) darting over at the last minute.  The parclo is 2 lanes that zipper into 1 under the Wedington Dr. overpass with the incoming westbound Wedington/I-49 northbound onramp zippering into the onramp which becomes the exit-only offramp for Steven Carr Memorial Blvd/Porter Rd./Mt. Comfort Rd./Exit 65.  That exit has too many road names to be made into a memorial exit as well.

I'll take some video both directions the next chance I get and upload to YouTube.

The MLK exit (Exit 62) has started prepwork for its reconfiguration now.

Northbound I-49 2-lane Parclo from eastbound Wedington Dr.

Southbound I-49 Exit 64 to westbound Wedington Dr.

[bugo]

I read that they were building a Fuc-ee's in Benton, but I hope it isn't true. You can stay in Texas, thank you very much.

[Great Lakes Roads]

I read that they were building a Fuc-ee's in Benton, but I hope it isn't true. You can stay in Texas, thank you very much.

It is 100% confirmed that Buc-ee's will be coming to Arkansas!

[Bobby5280]

I read that they were building a Fuc-ee's in Benton, but I hope it isn't true. You can stay in Texas, thank you very much.

A Buc-ee's is definitely in the works for Benton. The site is off I-30, Exit 114 to be more specific. I don't think they've broken ground on it yet. The one off I-40 in Amarillo is coming along; it's supposed to open in February, but it really looks like it could open before the end of the year. Around four or five other locations are currently under construction in other states.

For the time being, I think a Buc-ee's off I-49 in NWA is a tougher sell. Chances would be better if the gap from Fort Smith to Texarkana was going to get filled in the somewhat near future. I think any other future Buc-ee's locations in Arkansas will be along I-40.

[edwaleni]

The closest one to I-49 proper is the one Lafayette, LA it appears.

Johnstown, CO: First Quarter 2024
Hillsboro, Texas: Second quarter 2024.
Smiths Grove, Kentucky: 2024.
Amarillo, Texas: 2025.
Brunswick, Georgia: 2025.
Rockingham County, Virginia: 2026. (Located at the intersection of I-81 and Friedens Church Road,)
Boerne, Texas: 2026.
DeForest, Wisconsin: Opening date unknown
Huber Heights, Ohio, date unknown
Harrison County, Mississippi, 2025 (I-10 Exit 24)
Anderson, South Carolina, 2026
Goodyear, Arizona: (Buc-ee's has purchased the land it will build but has not announced an opening date.)
Benton, Arkansas: (located off Interstate 30),
San Marcos, TX : I-35 and Yarrington Road

Ocala, FL
Florida's newest location is scheduled to open in 2025 and will reportedly include an 80,000-square-foot travel center with more than 100 gas pumps. The Buc-ee's location will sit just east of I-75 near Highway 326 in Ocala. Florida

Port St Lucie FL
The gas station chain with a cult following submitted plans for its fourth location in the Sunshine State. It's currently proposed for the southeast corner of Indrio Road and Interstate 95 near Fort Pierce in North St. Lucie County.

Galloway, TN
Buc-ee's plans to build a new store off Interstate 40 at mile marker 28 near Gallaway. That's about 40 minutes northeast of Memphis. The travel center superstore is known for its clean restrooms, food, and lots of merchandise.

Mebane, NC
A meeting that started at 6:00 p.m. Monday, ended at 2:00 a.m. Tuesday morning with Buc-ee's coming to North Carolina. During those 8 hours, community members expressed both their opposition and support over bringing a Buc-ee's gas station to the City of Mebane alongside I-40. Mebane City Council approved bringing of Buc-ee's to the area in a 5-0 vote. This will be the first Buc-ee's in the state of North Carolina.

Murfreesboro, TN
Plans for a Murfreesboro location were first presented back in May of 2021. As previously reported by the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal, the Murfreesboro store is projected to be an even bigger operation than the Sevierville store, dubbed a "Big Store" at roughly 74,000 square feet. The proposed plan included a 76,245-square-foot building with 120 fuel pumps, 490 parking spots and room for 15 RVs and buses. Construction is underway, however an official opening date has yet to be announced.

Ruston, LA
Buc-ee's, a popular gas station slash country store chain from Texas, is set to open its first location in Louisiana in 2025. The company bought 53,000 square feet of land in Ruston off the new I-20 Tarbutton Exchange across from Ruston Junior High School in Jan. 2023.

Lafayette, LA
corner of Louisiana Avenue and I-10

[bwana39]

Ruston, LA
Buc-ee's, a popular gas station slash country store chain from Texas, is set to open its first location in Louisiana in 2025. The company bought 53,000 square feet of land in Ruston off the new I-20 Tarbutton Exchange across from Ruston Junior High School in Jan. 2023.

53,000 SF would not be enough room for the gas pumps......

[Bobby5280]

Smiths Grove, Kentucky: 2024.

The Smiths Grove, KY location (store #56) is already open.

Mebane, NC
A meeting that started at 6:00 p.m. Monday, ended at 2:00 a.m. Tuesday morning with Buc-ee's coming to North Carolina. During those 8 hours, community members expressed both their opposition and support over bringing a Buc-ee's gas station to the City of Mebane alongside I-40. Mebane City Council approved bringing of Buc-ee's to the area in a 5-0 vote. This will be the first Buc-ee's in the state of North Carolina.

The location in Mebane, NC (I-40 @ CR-1981) is already under construction.

I can't tell if the new "world's largest" location at Luling, TX will assume the store #17 from the existing location next door.

Buc-ee's locations in Amarillo, TX; Mebane, NC; Pass Christian, MS have visible construction in progress in Google Earth. The Brunswick, GA location (I-95 @ GA-99) should be well along in progress. Nothing visible in Google Earth though.

Here's a list I had of proposed locations:
Benton, AR - I-30 at Exit 114
Boerne, TX - I-10 at Exit 543 (Bus US-87) - Construction waiting to start
Huber Heights, OH - I-70 @ Exit 41 (OH-235)
Ocala, FL - I-75 @ Exit 358 (FL-326)
Fort Pierce, FL - I-95 @ Exit 138 (FL-614) Indrio Road? St Lucie County
Anderson, SC - I-85 @ Exit 21 (US-178)
Browns Corner, VA - I-64 @ Exit 211 (VA-106) - 2027
DeForest, WI - I-90/94/39 @ Exit 126 (Cty Road V)
Goodyear, AZ - I-10 @ Exit 127 (Bullard Ave)
Gallaway, TN - I-40 @ Exit 28
Murfreesboro, TN - I-24 @ Joe Jackson Pkwy
Harrisonburg, VA - I-81 @ Exit 240
Stafford, VA - VA-630 @ Austin Ridge Drive
Kansas City, KS - South 110th Street
Lafayette, LA - I-10 & Louisiana Ave

The proposed location in Ocala, FL may possibly have an 80,000 square foot building, but there are rumors it may be scaled back to 74,000 or 75,000.

Buc-ee's officials are reportedly scouting for possible locations in Oklahoma. With all the other stores that are under construction and proposed it could still be a long time before a Buc-ee's store opens in Oklahoma.

53,000 SF would not be enough room for the gas pumps......

53,000 would probably be the square footage size of the convenience store building at the Ruston, LA location. The overall site has to be a lot bigger. Google Earth imagery at Exit 83 on I-20 isn't new enough to show the construction progress.

[Echostatic]

The new "world's largest" Luling location is already open and the old store has been demolished. So if the Buc-ee's site doesn't have a number for it yet I think it's safe to assume #17 was transferred.

[roadman65]

If I were them I would open one up in Miller County where no one yet developed. All developed areas are along I-30. Right now to find decent lodging with food you must exit onto I-30 West and pick from its interchanges.

I-49 is too new a freeway to have established a business clientele that makes it interchanges open for them to conquer.

[Bobby5280]

The site they picked for the first Arkansas location is pretty good (I-30 Exit 114, US-67 & AR-229). It's one exit East of the US-70 interchange with I-30. They'll catch plenty of customers driving back and forth between Little Rock and Hot Springs (as well as all the other thru traffic on I-30).

[vdeane]

The proposed location in Ocala, FL may possibly have an 80,000 square foot building, but there are rumors it may be scaled back to 74,000 or 75,000.

Dear lord.  Even most supermarkets around here aren't that large.  And somehow they still don't find room to offer a place for people to eat their food before they resume their trips (or squeegees to clean their windshield).

[roadman65]

One thing, I must add, that Bucees pays their staff well.  They even pay a restroom attendant more than some white collar employees make.

They maybe overkill with the size of their stores, but they treat their staff better than the average.

[Rothman]

I can't believe that their expansion and expenses are sustainable in the long-term.  Wonder if they're Krispy Kreme-ing themselves.

[Bobby5280]

Buc-ee's locations built over the past 10 or so years are huge, but they really don't have very many of them. There are less than 70 Buc-ee's stores total, including the dozen or so smaller stores in the Houston region.

With that being said, I don't think Buc-ee's can sustain more than one "big store" on a given stretch of Interstate highway between two big/major-sized cities.

For instance, if Buc-ee's were to build a location in Oklahoma odds might go against one getting built in the Yukon or El Reno area since there is already a big location going up on the East side of Amarillo. If they built on I-40 in Oklahoma I think such a store would go East of OKC, perhaps near Shawnee. Really in the case of Oklahoma they ought to build a location where I-44 and I-35 overlap on the North side of the OKC metro.