I-49 in Arkansas

[Scott5114]

For those without insurance, you *can* call around and ask for a price from different health providers. I know people who have done quite well by it. You ask for the cost first. Then you tell them you are paying cash and you want the cash price. Then you call them back in 48 hours with a competitive price and ask if they can do better.

I'll be sure to do that if I'm ever bleeding out on the side of the road from a car crash.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Getting back to I-49 in Arkansas, Google Maps has Satellite images of the construction.

It shows the right of way, but doesn't show the paving.  It is however, better than nothing.

(I wonder what the lead time is from the photo being taken to the image being posted on their website...)

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4901318,-94.3927597,7373m/data=!3m1!1e3

Edit: If you work your way south on future I-49, Google also has shots of the construction of the new Northbound lanes for I-49 almost all the way to the US-71 interchange.  Not much imagery of the interchange construction itself, however.

[I-39]

Getting back to I-49 in Arkansas, Google Maps has Satellite images of the construction.

It shows the right of way, but doesn't show the paving.  It is however, better than nothing.

(I wonder what the lead time is from the photo being taken to the image being posted on their website...)

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4901318,-94.3927597,7373m/data=!3m1!1e3

When the imagery taken?

[Wayward Memphian]

I keep hearing how Arkansas is broke, lol. Hey...here's the Bridge money, lol.


https://talkbusiness.net/2021/02/arkansas-net-available-tax-revenue-surplus-tops-400-million/

[I-39]

I keep hearing how Arkansas is broke, lol. Hey...here's the Bridge money, lol.


https://talkbusiness.net/2021/02/arkansas-net-available-tax-revenue-surplus-tops-400-million/

It can't all go to building the I-49 bridge though.

[Wayward Memphian]

I keep hearing how Arkansas is broke, lol. Hey...here's the Bridge money, lol.


https://talkbusiness.net/2021/02/arkansas-net-available-tax-revenue-surplus-tops-400-million/

It can't all go to building the I-49 bridge though.

It was a joke but Arkansas is making a habit of running surpluses. Now, even in pandemics.

[MikieTimT]

I keep hearing how Arkansas is broke, lol. Hey...here's the Bridge money, lol.


https://talkbusiness.net/2021/02/arkansas-net-available-tax-revenue-surplus-tops-400-million/

It can't all go to building the I-49 bridge though.

It was a joke but Arkansas is making a habit of running surpluses. Now, even in pandemics.

Bet there's several blue states that would trade places right now.  There's something to be said for  "Pay As You Go", especially in times of crisis.  May make for some slow road building, but at least we do prioritize infrastructure with what we do spend.  The Arkansas jokes really will become hollow in about another decade anyway, at least in the part northwest of I-30/I-57.

[US71]

I keep hearing how Arkansas is broke, lol. Hey...here's the Bridge money, lol.


https://talkbusiness.net/2021/02/arkansas-net-available-tax-revenue-surplus-tops-400-million/

Not quite. As I've mentioned before, ARDOT likes to waste money on "pet" projects. They always have more plans then finances.

Don't get me started on state maintained "driveways".   

[MikieTimT]

Getting back to I-49 in Arkansas, Google Maps has Satellite images of the construction.

It shows the right of way, but doesn't show the paving.  It is however, better than nothing.

(I wonder what the lead time is from the photo being taken to the image being posted on their website...)

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4901318,-94.3927597,7373m/data=!3m1!1e3

When the imagery taken?

I know for a fact that, although it may state 2021 at the bottom, that it was at least 3 months ago as all of the northbound bridges past the new tie-in are decked, the roadbed prepared along the entire stretch you can currently drive, and there's asphalt base from where you get on AR-549 northbound all the way until the 2nd AR-72 exit and has been for a couple of months now.  The image also shows the roundabout still in use.  That hasn't been the case since May, so the entire area was likely imaged before May of last year.

[US71]

Getting back to I-49 in Arkansas, Google Maps has Satellite images of the construction.

It shows the right of way, but doesn't show the paving.  It is however, better than nothing.

(I wonder what the lead time is from the photo being taken to the image being posted on their website...)

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4901318,-94.3927597,7373m/data=!3m1!1e3

When the imagery taken?

I know for a fact that, although it may state 2021 at the bottom, that it was at least 3 months ago as all of the northbound bridges past the new tie-in are decked, the roadbed prepared along the entire stretch you can currently drive, and there's asphalt base from where you get on AR-549 northbound all the way until the 2nd AR-72 exit and has been for a couple of months now.  The image also shows the roundabout still in use.  That hasn't been the case since May, so the entire area was likely imaged before May of last year.

My last visit was in July and the lanes north of the current terminus were being paved.

https://flic.kr/p/2jpPg2a

[kphoger]

ARDOT ... always have more plans then finances.

Well, I should hope so!  Hopefully that's true of every agency.  Otherwise, at some point they say to themselves, Well, we finished all our projects and we still have all this money left over, so what would you like to build next, Earl?

[msunat97]

Getting back to I-49 in Arkansas, Google Maps has Satellite images of the construction.

It shows the right of way, but doesn't show the paving.  It is however, better than nothing.

(I wonder what the lead time is from the photo being taken to the image being posted on their website...)

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4901318,-94.3927597,7373m/data=!3m1!1e3

When the imagery taken?

I know for a fact that, although it may state 2021 at the bottom, that it was at least 3 months ago as all of the northbound bridges past the new tie-in are decked, the roadbed prepared along the entire stretch you can currently drive, and there's asphalt base from where you get on AR-549 northbound all the way until the 2nd AR-72 exit and has been for a couple of months now.  The image also shows the roundabout still in use.  That hasn't been the case since May, so the entire area was likely imaged before May of last year.

My last visit was in July and the lanes north of the current terminus were being paved.

https://flic.kr/p/2jpPg2a

Thanks for posting this.  It's good to see the progress

[Henry]

So after Bella Vista is done, my guess is that they'll focus on building south of Fort Smith, even if it's in small increments. Hey, better than nothing...

[US71]

So after Bella Vista is done, my guess is that they'll focus on building south of Fort Smith, even if it's in small increments. Hey, better than nothing...

IF they can get the Arkansas River Bridge built.

[abqtraveler]

So after Bella Vista is done, my guess is that they'll focus on building south of Fort Smith, even if it's in small increments. Hey, better than nothing...

IF they can get the Arkansas River Bridge built.

Even so, ArDOT might decide to go for some of the low-hanging fruit between Texarkana and Fort Smith, such as bypasses around some of the larger towns along the way. I would surmise they would take the same approach they've taken in other places: initially build the bypasses out to 2 lanes, and then expand to 4 lanes later on when additional funding becomes available.

[mvak36]

I'm still waiting to see what new projects they will select for the next round of the CAP. I haven't heard anything since November when the ballot measure passed.

[bwana39]

So after Bella Vista is done, my guess is that they'll focus on building south of Fort Smith, even if it's in small increments. Hey, better than nothing...

IF they can get the Arkansas River Bridge built.

Even so, ArDOT might decide to go for some of the low-hanging fruit between Texarkana and Fort Smith, such as bypasses around some of the larger towns along the way. I would surmise they would take the same approach they've taken in other places: initially build the bypasses out to 2 lanes, and then expand to 4 lanes later on when additional funding becomes available.

South of DeQueen, the projected route is through the countryside. That stretch is pretty much one big swatch that crosses neither US-71 nor AR-41. Through the mountains is a big deal too.  I heard it said that a tunnel might be less expensive than the current US-71 route.  They could likely go around several of the towns but others are just as incompatible with piecemeal building as the southernmost part.

[Wayward Memphian]

I figure construction on the bridge will be announced before ASA! leaves office. I also figure that the west end of the 412 bypass/access road to XNA gets green lit as soon as Bella Vista wraps up this will magically include it stretching eastward to US 71B as well. If traffic snaps back quick after Covid, XNA's ambitious expansion should be wrapping up 2025/2026. They want up to 26 gates.

[US71]

I figure construction on the bridge will be announced before ASA! leaves office. I also figure that the west end of the 412 bypass/access road to XNA gets green lit as soon as Bella Vista wraps up this will magically include it stretching eastward to US 71B as well. If traffic snaps back quick after Covid, XNA's ambitious expansion should be wrapping up 2025/2026. They want up to 26 gates.

I've seen a diagram showing a connection to 71B, but don't remember if it entirely a new road or an extension of something already there. Theoretically,  264 could be straightened and widened.

[edwaleni]

I figure construction on the bridge will be announced before ASA! leaves office. I also figure that the west end of the 412 bypass/access road to XNA gets green lit as soon as Bella Vista wraps up this will magically include it stretching eastward to US 71B as well. If traffic snaps back quick after Covid, XNA's ambitious expansion should be wrapping up 2025/2026. They want up to 26 gates.

I've seen a diagram showing a connection to 71B, but don't remember if it entirely a new road or an extension of something already there. Theoretically,  264 could be straightened and widened.

XNA with 26 gates? That has to be a joke.

But the land around it is getting developed pretty quick.

I still remember laughing when I drove through Cave Springs to get to the airport. My cousin was like "are you sure its out here?"

[US71]

I figure construction on the bridge will be announced before ASA! leaves office. I also figure that the west end of the 412 bypass/access road to XNA gets green lit as soon as Bella Vista wraps up this will magically include it stretching eastward to US 71B as well. If traffic snaps back quick after Covid, XNA's ambitious expansion should be wrapping up 2025/2026. They want up to 26 gates.

I've seen a diagram showing a connection to 71B, but don't remember if it entirely a new road or an extension of something already there. Theoretically,  264 could be straightened and widened.

XNA with 26 gates? That has to be a joke.

But the land around it is getting developed pretty quick.

I still remember laughing when I drove through Cave Springs to get to the airport. My cousin was like "are you sure its out here?"

Land was cheap.

[bwana39]

I figure construction on the bridge will be announced before ASA! leaves office. I also figure that the west end of the 412 bypass/access road to XNA gets green lit as soon as Bella Vista wraps up this will magically include it stretching eastward to US 71B as well. If traffic snaps back quick after Covid, XNA's ambitious expansion should be wrapping up 2025/2026. They want up to 26 gates.

I've seen a diagram showing a connection to 71B, but don't remember if it entirely a new road or an extension of something already there. Theoretically,  264 could be straightened and widened.

XNA with 26 gates? That has to be a joke.

But the land around it is getting developed pretty quick.

I still remember laughing when I drove through Cave Springs to get to the airport. My cousin was like "are you sure its out here?"

Land was cheap.

Won't be that way for too long anywhere in that area. Projections show as many as many as a million people in Benton and Washington Counties by mid-century.

[Wayward Memphian]

I figure construction on the bridge will be announced before ASA! leaves office. I also figure that the west end of the 412 bypass/access road to XNA gets green lit as soon as Bella Vista wraps up this will magically include it stretching eastward to US 71B as well. If traffic snaps back quick after Covid, XNA's ambitious expansion should be wrapping up 2025/2026. They want up to 26 gates.

I've seen a diagram showing a connection to 71B, but don't remember if it entirely a new road or an extension of something already there. Theoretically,  264 could be straightened and widened.

XNA with 26 gates? That has to be a joke.

But the land around it is getting developed pretty quick.

I still remember laughing when I drove through Cave Springs to get to the airport. My cousin was like "are you sure its out here?"

The design is to be 'modular' for the concourse. So,  they aren't going for it all at once. But here's an informal list of thing either already in design work or to be in design work by the end of the  year

Skywalk out for bid very soon.

New Parking deck /car rental center design work done but on hold till rental demand rebounds.


2nd floor Terninal reno work waiting on Concourse design work to start this year


Concourse design work to start this year. Two additional gates in A. Rebuild of B with 12 gates for a total of 26.
configuration to be determined  for between 2 and 3 million enplanements a year.

Baggage claim rebuild out for design this year

New ATC Tower out for design this year

New taxiway design work done waiting for the ok.

Commercial apron expansion out for design this year.

Pursue an onsite hotel of around 80 rooms.

XNA overnights a lot of planes when it was normal times hence the apron expansion and hotel


XNA had broken into the top 100 in enplanements after 2019 and was within less than 200k of overtaking LIT. It was the second fastest growing airport in percent of passenger wise in the US  only being out done by Sarasota Fl.

The MSA is expected to double in the next 20 years. So off of 2019 numbers and the average enplanememt growth rate of the past 5 years that projects out to 2 million enplanements.

What that doesn't take into account is upgauging to mainline planes but still those need larger holding areas than what's currently available which were definitely geared for 76 seaters after the original gates were for the old Saabs, Dashs, E135s, E145s and CRJ200s 36 to 50 seaters.  Suspect we'll see lots of A220s, A319s and 737s from the legacies iF the growth continues once thingS come back online. I don't know how Southwest avoids XNA much longer. It has become its own market not to be confused with being part of Tulsa's catchment area for them any longer. I can easily see them with 2x to DAL, 1x Den, 1x BNA/ATL, 1x Houston , 1x STL/MDW


They recently added back Jackson MS and entered Fresno CA. Both smaller airports at the time.

And... I could see Allegiant making it a base like they have Knoxville and Des Moines. Check out the frequencies to Nashville and Destin this summer from XNA (see apron space)

[abqtraveler]

I'm still waiting to see what new projects they will select for the next round of the CAP. I haven't heard anything since November when the ballot measure passed.

That vote made Arkansas' transportation sales tax permanent. Is that correct?

[mvak36]

I'm still waiting to see what new projects they will select for the next round of the CAP. I haven't heard anything since November when the ballot measure passed.

That vote made Arkansas' transportation sales tax permanent. Is that correct?

Yes. There's no sunset on that half cent sales tax now.