I-57 Approved

[Bobby5280]

When is that sub-standard, junky segment of US-67 in Jacksonville, AR going to be fixed or re-built? They're talking about further improvements to US-67 farther Northeast in Cabot. But I'm pretty sure that short stretch in Jacksonville, with its AWFUL ramps, is one of the main hang-ups preventing I-57 shields from being installed. Why don't they fix that already?

[Road Hog]

When is that sub-standard, junky segment of US-67 in Jacksonville, AR going to be fixed or re-built? They're talking about further improvements to US-67 farther Northeast in Cabot. But I'm pretty sure that short stretch in Jacksonville, with its AWFUL ramps, is one of the main hang-ups preventing I-57 shields from being installed. Why don't they fix that already?

It's been a year since I've been through there, but my understanding is it's well underway.

[MikieTimT]

When is that sub-standard, junky segment of US-67 in Jacksonville, AR going to be fixed or re-built? They're talking about further improvements to US-67 farther Northeast in Cabot. But I'm pretty sure that short stretch in Jacksonville, with its AWFUL ramps, is one of the main hang-ups preventing I-57 shields from being installed. Why don't they fix that already?

It's been a year since I've been through there, but my understanding is it's well underway.

It's in progress and was funded with the original CAP funds.  The draft STIP has the newer projects.  Amendment 101 funding is CAP2.

[abqtraveler]

When is that sub-standard, junky segment of US-67 in Jacksonville, AR going to be fixed or re-built? They're talking about further improvements to US-67 farther Northeast in Cabot. But I'm pretty sure that short stretch in Jacksonville, with its AWFUL ramps, is one of the main hang-ups preventing I-57 shields from being installed. Why don't they fix that already?

It's been a year since I've been through there, but my understanding is it's well underway.

As of July 2022 GSV is showing that no work has started on reconstructing/widening US-67/167 between Main Street and Vandenberg Boulevard in Jacksonville. Last I heard ArDOT was planning to award the construction contract this year, but I don't know where things stand with that project.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8892661,-92.1049514,3a,75y,227.97h,70.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soDt8FmJlmstMn1hVd2UvKw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[mvak36]

When is that sub-standard, junky segment of US-67 in Jacksonville, AR going to be fixed or re-built? They're talking about further improvements to US-67 farther Northeast in Cabot. But I'm pretty sure that short stretch in Jacksonville, with its AWFUL ramps, is one of the main hang-ups preventing I-57 shields from being installed. Why don't they fix that already?

It's been a year since I've been through there, but my understanding is it's well underway.

As of July 2022 GSV is showing that no work has started on reconstructing/widening US-67/167 between Main Street and Vandenberg Boulevard in Jacksonville. Last I heard ArDOT was planning to award the construction contract this year, but I don't know where things stand with that project.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8892661,-92.1049514,3a,75y,227.97h,70.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soDt8FmJlmstMn1hVd2UvKw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

The last thing I remembered reading about that project is that it was scheduled to let this month. Not sure if it was included or not.

Edit: looks like it was. https://www.bidx.com/ar/letting?lettingid=SEP2122

[Avalanchez71]

When is that sub-standard, junky segment of US-67 in Jacksonville, AR going to be fixed or re-built? They're talking about further improvements to US-67 farther Northeast in Cabot. But I'm pretty sure that short stretch in Jacksonville, with its AWFUL ramps, is one of the main hang-ups preventing I-57 shields from being installed. Why don't they fix that already?

Likely money.

[GreenLanternCorps]

When is that sub-standard, junky segment of US-67 in Jacksonville, AR going to be fixed or re-built? They're talking about further improvements to US-67 farther Northeast in Cabot. But I'm pretty sure that short stretch in Jacksonville, with its AWFUL ramps, is one of the main hang-ups preventing I-57 shields from being installed. Why don't they fix that already?

It's been a year since I've been through there, but my understanding is it's well underway.

As of July 2022 GSV is showing that no work has started on reconstructing/widening US-67/167 between Main Street and Vandenberg Boulevard in Jacksonville. Last I heard ArDOT was planning to award the construction contract this year, but I don't know where things stand with that project.

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.8892661,-92.1049514,3a,75y,227.97h,70.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soDt8FmJlmstMn1hVd2UvKw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

The last thing I remembered reading about that project is that it was scheduled to let this month. Not sure if it was included or not.

Edit: looks like it was. https://www.bidx.com/ar/letting?lettingid=SEP2122

Three bids:

https://www.bidx.com/ARDOT/apparentbids/contid/CA0604

WEBBER, LLC   $241,554,234.50
WEAVER-BAILEY CONTRS., INC.   $259,218,901.33
KIEWIT INFRASTRUCTURE SOUTH CO.   $283,160,951.83

Don't know how this compares to the budget for the project.

[Bobby5280]

$250 million or more for 2 miles of new Interstate and 3 re-built exits? That seems a little steep. I totally understand a $250 million+ price tag for a complicated freeway to freeway interchange. But this project in Jacksonville, AR looks pretty ordinary in terms of scale.

[Avalanchez71]

$250 million or more for 2 miles of new Interstate and 3 re-built exits? That seems a little steep. I totally understand a $250 million+ price tag for a complicated freeway to freeway interchange. But this project in Jacksonville, AR looks pretty ordinary in terms of scale.

Wow this a first.  Actually watching the dollar signs on this thread. 

[rte66man]

$250 million or more for 2 miles of new Interstate and 3 re-built exits? That seems a little steep. I totally understand a $250 million+ price tag for a complicated freeway to freeway interchange. But this project in Jacksonville, AR looks pretty ordinary in terms of scale.

Are they having to buy additional RoW? That would really jack up the cost.

[Bobby5280]

Wow this a first.  Actually watching the dollar signs on this thread.

Obviously you haven't been reading my posts carefully. I bitch about soaring cost inflation for infrastructure projects all the time.

Are they having to buy additional RoW? That would really jack up the cost.

That's a good question. That stretch of US-67 is flanked by frontage roads. But it's going to be a tight squeeze to expand the main lanes from 2x2 lanes to 3x3 yet maintain enough space for effective drainage and frontage roads.

[mvak36]

Are they having to replace any overpasses so that the road can accommodate the 3X3 lanes? I don't have the plans or anything so I'm wondering if something like that is adding to the cost.

[abqtraveler]

Are they having to replace any overpasses so that the road can accommodate the 3X3 lanes? I don't have the plans or anything so I'm wondering if something like that is adding to the cost.

The contract encompasses two sections of 67/167...the section through Jacksonville, and a second section that involves replacing the existing pavement around Cabot. The majority of the cost will be for the Jacksonville section as bridges and overpasses will have to be completely replaced, the existing roadway completely reconstructed, and the reconfiguration of interchanges and realignment of frontage roads and local streets near the freeway. Reconstructing the section out past Cabot will cost less given that area is more rural and no widening will occur there.

[MikieTimT]

They are having to do all of the above.  Overpasses, bridges, ramps, access roads, utility relocation, ROW acquisition in a highly commercial area.  The extra 2 lanes are not much of the cost at all.  Nothing is adequate to carry over into the next iteration of that segment.

Job CA0604

[Scott5114]

$250 million or more for 2 miles of new Interstate and 3 re-built exits? That seems a little steep. I totally understand a $250 million+ price tag for a complicated freeway to freeway interchange. But this project in Jacksonville, AR looks pretty ordinary in terms of scale.

Wow this a first.  Actually watching the dollar signs on this thread. 

Why don't you go join a forum about prices instead of one about roads? You clearly like prices more than you like roads, since you post about them way more.

[GreenLanternCorps]

When this project is complete will Future I-57 meet interstate standards from I-40 to US 412?  Or is there any segment in that stretch I have missed?

[MikieTimT]

When this project is complete will Future I-57 meet interstate standards from I-40 to US 412?  Or is there any segment in that stretch I have missed?

Once Jacksonville/Cabot are addressed, that should take care of the LR<->Walnut Ridge segment.  And the Draft STIP has funding for Corning<->Missouri border, so the ball will be rolling there within the next few years.  We'll have to hold our breath for Walnut Ridge<->Corning to see what Pocahontas can extract for connectivity options.

[abqtraveler]

When this project is complete will Future I-57 meet interstate standards from I-40 to US 412?  Or is there any segment in that stretch I have missed?

It will, but I doubt ArDOT will sign this section as I-57 until it's complete to Sikeston, Missouri.

[Road Hog]

When this project is complete will Future I-57 meet interstate standards from I-40 to US 412?  Or is there any segment in that stretch I have missed?

It will, but I doubt ArDOT will sign this section as I-57 until it's complete to Sikeston, Missouri.

Don't see why not as it will fit all the requirements of a shield. In fact, I see ARDOT more willing to promote the corridor than to actually build it out.

[MikieTimT]

When this project is complete will Future I-57 meet interstate standards from I-40 to US 412?  Or is there any segment in that stretch I have missed?

It will, but I doubt ArDOT will sign this section as I-57 until it's complete to Sikeston, Missouri.

Don't see why not as it will fit all the requirements of a shield. In fact, I see ARDOT more willing to promote the corridor than to actually build it out.

Arkansas has a history with I-49 of signing large portions before fully connected when they are connected on the other end to a 2DI.  When they finish with Jacksonville/Cabot, they'll push FHWA and AASHTO for the designation even before the Walnut Ridge to Corning portion is complete in order to have a glaring gap on the map that the feds will help plug.

[sturmde]

When this project is complete will Future I-57 meet interstate standards from I-40 to US 412?  Or is there any segment in that stretch I have missed?

It will, but I doubt ArDOT will sign this section as I-57 until it's complete to Sikeston, Missouri.

Don't see why not as it will fit all the requirements of a shield. In fact, I see ARDOT more willing to promote the corridor than to actually build it out.

Arkansas has a history with I-49 of signing large portions before fully connected when they are connected on the other end to a 2DI.  When they finish with Jacksonville/Cabot, they'll push FHWA and AASHTO for the designation even before the Walnut Ridge to Corning portion is complete in order to have a glaring gap on the map that the feds will help plug.

Indeed, since it will connect to I-40 on the southern end, they can make the same argument that was made for "northern" I-26 which connects only to I-81.  Through Asheville NC is "future" 26.  Thus a "southern" I-57 can run north from I-40 as far as constructed segments allow....  Missouri could do the same thing heading "south" from I-55.  Maybe signing parts, would encourage the construction of the "middle".  Not that it's worked that well for 26, 73, eastern 74, eastern 86, or 14.... 

[bwana39]

When this project is complete will Future I-57 meet interstate standards from I-40 to US 412?  Or is there any segment in that stretch I have missed?

It will, but I doubt ArDOT will sign this section as I-57 until it's complete to Sikeston, Missouri.

Don't see why not as it will fit all the requirements of a shield. In fact, I see ARDOT more willing to promote the corridor than to actually build it out.

Arkansas has a history with I-49 of signing large portions before fully connected when they are connected on the other end to a 2DI.  When they finish with Jacksonville/Cabot, they'll push FHWA and AASHTO for the designation even before the Walnut Ridge to Corning portion is complete in order to have a glaring gap on the map that the feds will help plug.

Well, Louisiana never put placeholder signs on I-49 and it had a 5-mile gap to I-220 for three years. Arkansas on the other hand was connected to the LA section and still didn't get to the portion from the LA state line to Texarkana as I-49 until the loop portion to connect to I-30 was completed.

[edwaleni]

Here is the status link for the FHWA permitting page for the Walnut Ridge to Missouri State Line Project.

https://www.permits.performance.gov/permitting-project/walnut-ridge-missouri-state-line-future-i-57

[abqtraveler]

Here is the status link for the FHWA permitting page for the Walnut Ridge to Missouri State Line Project.

https://www.permits.performance.gov/permitting-project/walnut-ridge-missouri-state-line-future-i-57

And there's the question of money. I'm guessing it will cost around $10-20 million per mile to complete the freeway from Walnut Ridge to the Missouri line, which would equate to a $400-800 million price tag for construction. Fortunately, the terrain along the route is relatively flat and mostly farmland. A potentially big expense would be a bridge across the Black River.

[MikieTimT]

Here is the status link for the FHWA permitting page for the Walnut Ridge to Missouri State Line Project.

https://www.permits.performance.gov/permitting-project/walnut-ridge-missouri-state-line-future-i-57

And there's the question of money. I'm guessing it will cost around $10-20 million per mile to complete the freeway from Walnut Ridge to the Missouri line, which would equate to a $400-800 million price tag for construction. Fortunately, the terrain along the route is relatively flat and mostly farmland. A potentially big expense would be a bridge across the Black River.

There's likely to be several miles of elevated embankment as well since it will need to run between the Black and Current Rivers up to Corning from Pocahontas.  That land is rather flood-prone and I've seen pictures from the not too distant past where the Wal-Mart parking lot as well as US-67 were underwater east of Pocahontas.