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I-69 in AR (and Pine Bluff I-69 Connector/AR 530)

Started by Grzrd, September 21, 2010, 01:31:22 PM

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Road Hog

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 10, 2015, 04:01:53 PM
Arkansas home to AR 549 and AR 569? What's the obsession with future Interstate Highways with state designations starting with a 5?

Two future interstate highways are hardly an "obsession." The 500 series is an unused block of numbers and it makes sense for AHTD to use them.


US71

Quote from: Road Hog on August 10, 2015, 10:01:20 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 10, 2015, 04:01:53 PM
Arkansas home to AR 549 and AR 569? What's the obsession with future Interstate Highways with state designations starting with a 5?

Two future interstate highways are hardly an "obsession." The 500 series is an unused block of numbers and it makes sense for AHTD to use them.

540 ;)
Like Alice I Try To Believe Three Impossible Things Before Breakfast

cjk374

Quote from: US71 on August 11, 2015, 09:42:28 AM
Quote from: Road Hog on August 10, 2015, 10:01:20 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 10, 2015, 04:01:53 PM
Arkansas home to AR 549 and AR 569? What's the obsession with future Interstate Highways with state designations starting with a 5?

Two future interstate highways are hardly an "obsession." The 500 series is an unused block of numbers and it makes sense for AHTD to use them.

540 ;)

530, 540, 549, 569...that should cover them all, right?
Runnin' roads and polishin' rails.

The Ghostbuster

You're forgetting 555, the long-proposed Interstate designation upgrade on US 63 between Turrell and Jonesboro.

NE2

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 10, 2015, 04:01:53 PM
Arkansas home to AR 549 and AR 569? What's the obsession with future Interstate Highways with state designations starting with a 5?
Why the hell not? 1-399 are normal routes, 4xx are old alignments, 600 (and 400) are state parks, and 801+ are facility routes. All that's left is 5xx and 7xx.
pre-1945 Florida route log

I accept and respect your identity as long as it's not dumb shit like "identifying as a vaccinated attack helicopter".

US71

Quote from: NE2 on August 11, 2015, 07:13:04 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 10, 2015, 04:01:53 PM
Arkansas home to AR 549 and AR 569? What's the obsession with future Interstate Highways with state designations starting with a 5?
Why the hell not? 1-399 are normal routes, 4xx are old alignments, 600 (and 400) are state parks, and 801+ are facility routes. All that's left is 5xx and 7xx.

You forgot 980 ;)

Like Alice I Try To Believe Three Impossible Things Before Breakfast

NE2

pre-1945 Florida route log

I accept and respect your identity as long as it's not dumb shit like "identifying as a vaccinated attack helicopter".

iBallasticwolf2

Quote from: NE2 on August 11, 2015, 07:13:04 PM]
Why the hell not? 1-399 are normal routes, 4xx are old alignments, 600 (and 400) are state parks, and 801+ are facility routes. All that's left is 5xx and 7xx.
1xx, 2xx?
Only two things are infinite in this world, stupidity, and I-75 construction

cjk374

Quote from: iBallasticwolf2 on August 12, 2015, 09:02:57 AM
Quote from: NE2 on August 11, 2015, 07:13:04 PM]
Why the hell not? 1-399 are normal routes, 4xx are old alignments, 600 (and 400) are state parks, and 801+ are facility routes. All that's left is 5xx and 7xx.
1xx, 2xx?

That falls in the 1-399 range NE2 mentioned.
Runnin' roads and polishin' rails.

Grzrd

#184
Quote from: Grzrd on August 10, 2015, 01:59:25 PM
AHTD has issued an August 10 Information Release stating that AHTD tentatively has scheduled the opening of the next section of Hwy. 530 south of Hwy. 114 and the new Hwy. 11 for Tuesday, August 18th, 2015

This August 18 AHTD Information Release provides a notification that the new, recently opened section of AR 530 will be dedicated at 2:15 pm on Friday, August 21:

Quote
WHEN: Friday, August 21
10:00 am. Montrose
11:15 am. Lake Village
2:15 pm. Near Star City
WHERE:
The MONTROSE event is a dedication of the new U.S. Highway 82 railroad overpass at the intersection of U.S. Highway 82 and State Highway 165.
The LAKE VILLAGE event is a groundbreaking for a bridge replacement project on State Highway 144 north of downtown Lake Village.
The NEAR STAR CITY event is to dedicate the new section of State Highway 530 that recently opened from State Highway 114 south to U.S. Highway 425 south of Star City.
WHY:
To celebrate the completion of two projects and the beginning of another.

codyg1985

Looks like they made a boo boo and mislabeled US 165 as AR 165 for the bridge dedication.
Cody Goodman
Huntsville, AL, United States

US71

Quote from: Grzrd on August 18, 2015, 01:43:45 PM
Quote from: Grzrd on August 10, 2015, 01:59:25 PM
AHTD has issued an August 10 Information Release stating that AHTD tentatively has scheduled the opening of the next section of Hwy. 530 south of Hwy. 114 and the new Hwy. 11 for Tuesday, August 18th, 2015

This August 18 AHTD Information Release provides a notification that the new, recenty opened section of AR 530 will be dedicated at 2:15 pm on Friday, August 21:

Quote
WHEN: Friday, August 21
10:00 am. Montrose
11:15 am. Lake Village
2:15 pm. Near Star City
WHERE:
The MONTROSE event is a dedication of the new U.S. Highway 82 railroad overpass at the intersection of U.S. Highway 82 and State Highway 165.
The LAKE VILLAGE event is a groundbreaking for a bridge replacement project on State Highway 144 north of downtown Lake Village.
The NEAR STAR CITY event is to dedicate the new section of State Highway 530 that recently opened from State Highway 114 south to U.S. Highway 425 south of Star City.
WHY:
To celebrate the completion of two projects and the beginning of another.

Wish I could go, but don't have the time to spare
Like Alice I Try To Believe Three Impossible Things Before Breakfast

Grzrd

Quote from: Grzrd on August 18, 2015, 01:43:45 PM
This August 18 AHTD Information Release provides a notification that the new, recently opened section of AR 530 will be dedicated at 2:15 pm on Friday, August 21

This August 15 article entitled "Road projects near Star City create bypass" describes how part of the "new" AR 11 and the new section of AR 530 create a de facto bypass of Star City:

Quote
A new section of Arkansas 530 in Lincoln County and a newly constructed Arkansas 11 are scheduled to open Tuesday.
Together, the new highways will allow motorists to travel to U.S. 425 via Arkansas 530 without having to detour through Star City, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department said.

I wonder if AHTD will install/ has installed signage for motorists describing this route as a Star City bypass?

US71

Quote from: Grzrd on August 21, 2015, 04:49:08 PM

I wonder if AHTD will install/ has installed signage for motorists describing this route as a Star City bypass?

I'm guessing there will be "TO 530" signs at AR 11/US 425 and possibly guide signs pointing the way to Pine Bluff.   Of course, 530 may also be routed along "New 11" back to 425.
Like Alice I Try To Believe Three Impossible Things Before Breakfast

Grzrd

#189
Quote from: Grzrd on August 18, 2015, 01:43:45 PM
This August 18 AHTD Information Release provides a notification that the new, recently opened section of AR 530 will be dedicated at 2:15 pm on Friday, August 21:
Quote
WHEN: Friday, August 21
10:00 am. Montrose
11:15 am. Lake Village
2:15 pm. Near Star City
Quote from: US71 on August 18, 2015, 02:38:31 PM
Wish I could go, but don't have the time to spare

Life is full of second chances; maybe this is one of them: This August 18 AHTD Information Release (maybe the original release had a typo?) has the dedication ceremony occurring on August 28:

Quote
WHEN: Friday, August 28
10:00 am. Montrose
11:15 am. Lake Village
2:15 pm. Near Star City




Quote from: US71 on August 21, 2015, 09:02:59 PM
I'm guessing there will be "TO 530" signs at AR 11/US 425 and possibly guide signs pointing the way to Pine Bluff.   Of course, 530 may also be routed along "New 11" back to 425.

Some photos from the occasion would be nice, too.   :D

US71

Quote from: Grzrd on August 22, 2015, 01:47:04 PM
Quote from: Grzrd on August 18, 2015, 01:43:45 PM
This August 18 AHTD Information Release provides a notification that the new, recently opened section of AR 530 will be dedicated at 2:15 pm on Friday, August 21:
Quote
WHEN: Friday, August 21
10:00 am. Montrose
11:15 am. Lake Village
2:15 pm. Near Star City
Quote from: US71 on August 18, 2015, 02:38:31 PM
Wish I could go, but don't have the time to spare

Life is full of second chances; maybe this is one of them: This August 18 AHTD Information Release (maybe the original release had a typo?) has the dedication ceremony occurring on August 28:

Quote
WHEN: Friday, August 28
10:00 am. Montrose
11:15 am. Lake Village
2:15 pm. Near Star City




Quote from: US71 on August 21, 2015, 09:02:59 PM
I'm guessing there will be "TO 530" signs at AR 11/US 425 and possibly guide signs pointing the way to Pine Bluff.   Of course, 530 may also be routed along "New 11" back to 425.

Some photos from the occasion would be nice, too.   :D

28th I'm committed to a show. I may try to sneak down in a couple weeks to check signing.
Like Alice I Try To Believe Three Impossible Things Before Breakfast

Grzrd

Quote from: Grzrd on August 22, 2015, 01:47:04 PM
This August 18 AHTD Information Release (maybe the original release had a typo?) has the dedication ceremony occurring on August 28

This article reports that the ribbon cutting ceremony did indeed take place on August 28:

Quote
Officials with the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department joined elected officials from Star City and Lincoln County on Friday afternoon to officially dedicate another section of what will be a four-lane connector between Interstate 530 at Pine Bluff and the planned Interstate 69 near Wilmar.
The approximately 18-mile section, designated Arkansas 530, will allow truck traffic to avoid downtown Star City
, said Glenn Bolick, special projects coordinator for the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department.
"Downtown Star City is going to be a lot safer now,"  Bolick said.
State Highway Commissioner Robert Moore, who is from Arkansas City ....
said there is still work to be done before the entire interstate connector is completed.
"We're 10 miles and $50 million short of completing the project,"  Moore said.
According to information from the highway department, eight contracts have been let on the planned corridor since April, 2004, and so far, nearly $150 million has been awarded and completed ....
A contract to complete the remaining 10.5-mile section between Arkansas Highway 11/U.S. 425 and Arkansas Highway 35 has not been let yet, highway officials said ....
The ribbon cutting on Arkansas 530 was the third event highway department officials attended Friday in Southeast Arkansas.
Friday morning, they dedicated the new U.S. 82 railroad overpass at intersection of U.S. 82 and Arkansas 165 at Montrose, and later Friday morning, broke ground for the replacement of two bridge structures north of Lake Village.

Another 10.5 miles of two lanes and then start working on adding the other two lanes .............

US71

Quote from: Grzrd on August 28, 2015, 10:31:43 PM
Quote from: Grzrd on August 22, 2015, 01:47:04 PM
This August 18 AHTD Information Release (maybe the original release had a typo?) has the dedication ceremony occurring on August 28

This article reports that the ribbon cutting ceremony did indeed take place on August 28:

Quote
Officials with the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department joined elected officials from Star City and Lincoln County on Friday afternoon to officially dedicate another section of what will be a four-lane connector between Interstate 530 at Pine Bluff and the planned Interstate 69 near Wilmar.
The approximately 18-mile section, designated Arkansas 530, will allow truck traffic to avoid downtown Star City
, said Glenn Bolick, special projects coordinator for the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department.
"Downtown Star City is going to be a lot safer now,"  Bolick said.
State Highway Commissioner Robert Moore, who is from Arkansas City ....
said there is still work to be done before the entire interstate connector is completed.
"We're 10 miles and $50 million short of completing the project,"  Moore said.
According to information from the highway department, eight contracts have been let on the planned corridor since April, 2004, and so far, nearly $150 million has been awarded and completed ....
A contract to complete the remaining 10.5-mile section between Arkansas Highway 11/U.S. 425 and Arkansas Highway 35 has not been let yet, highway officials said ....
The ribbon cutting on Arkansas 530 was the third event highway department officials attended Friday in Southeast Arkansas.
Friday morning, they dedicated the new U.S. 82 railroad overpass at intersection of U.S. 82 and Arkansas 165 at Montrose, and later Friday morning, broke ground for the replacement of two bridge structures north of Lake Village.

Another 10.5 miles of two lanes and then start working on adding the other two lanes .............

Google maps has updated AR 530 as of this morning, but the new AR 11 has not been updated.
Like Alice I Try To Believe Three Impossible Things Before Breakfast

KamKam

AR 530 between AR 11 and Interstate 530 has a speed limit of 55, which is somewhat effective

Grzrd

Quote from: Grzrd on November 21, 2014, 04:54:50 PM
a delay in the completion of the grading and structures contract, for which IDriveArkansas now projects a mid-2015 completion:
Quote from: AHTD on February 14, 2015, 09:52:41 PM
Quote from: Grzrd on February 10, 2015, 10:55:20 AM
what are the issues that continue to delay the grading and structures contract?
Not sure of the exact circumstances, but if memory serves the contractor is behind schedule. Not sure if we're into damages yet or not.

IDriveArkansas now projects a mid-2017 completion date for the grading and structures contract:



I hope that a delay from mid 2015 to mid 2017 gets into damages.  Also, nice touch in identifying the project as a US 425 project.

KamKam

2 Year delay? I wonder why. They've been working on this portion for a long time

US71

Quote from: KamKam on October 30, 2015, 11:59:36 AM
2 Year delay? I wonder why. They've been working on this portion for a long time
Money?
Like Alice I Try To Believe Three Impossible Things Before Breakfast

KamKam

I'm sure it's not cause of Money considering since they may have started on the projec

Grzrd

Quote from: KamKam on October 30, 2015, 11:59:36 AM
2 Year delay? I wonder why. They've been working on this portion for a long time.
Quote from: Grzrd on December 09, 2015, 08:25:08 AM
This article reports that Arkansas highway officials recently told a group in El Dorado that construction of the Great River Bridge is the key to building the porkier pieces in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi, but that Congress will have to foot most of the bill for the bridge ....
A video of the meeting has been posted on Youtube:
(above quote from I-69 Mississippi River Bridge thread)

At approximately the 27:25 mark of the above video, AHTD Director Scott Bennett is asked if money is available to pay for the current grading and structures project for the Monticello Bypass because it is "just sitting there".  Bennett replies that the money is there to pay for it, but "the contractor is just sitting there".  Bennett goes on to note, "That's been a weird one".  The questioner then asks Bennett if the contractor has a time limit.  Bennett replies, "Yeah, he does", but provides no further explanation for the delay.

Grzrd

Quote from: Grzrd on December 12, 2015, 04:05:05 PM
Quote from: Grzrd on December 09, 2015, 08:25:08 AM
A video of the meeting has been posted on Youtube:
(above quote from I-69 Mississippi River Bridge thread)
At approximately the 27:25 mark of the above video, AHTD Director Scott Bennett is asked if money is available to pay for the current grading and structures project for the Monticello Bypass because it is "just sitting there".  Bennett replies that the money is there to pay for it, but "the contractor is just sitting there".  Bennett goes on to note, "That's been a weird one".  The questioner then asks Bennett if the contractor has a time limit.  Bennett replies, "Yeah, he does", but provides no further explanation for the delay.

AHTD has posted AHTD Director Scott Bennett's presentation to the December 7, 2015 Interstate 69 Coalition meeting. A slide about the Monticello Bypass notes that the groundbreaking for the grading and structures contract was in November, 2011; as a result, over four years have elapsed since the groundbreaking ( p. 11/15 of pdf):



With Bennett stating that the estimated completion date  is now late 2017 (at approximately the 24:25 mark of the above video), it looks like this will end up being a six-year project. Yep, that's weird.




Quote from: Grzrd on April 10, 2015, 09:08:42 PM
.... it looks like AHTD intends to purchase ROW for both the western segment of the I-69 Monticello Bypass and the short segment of AR 530 between US 278 and the western segment of the I-69 Monticello Bypass ...
Quote from: Grzrd on April 14, 2015, 12:45:43 PM
Here is the Q & A with AHTD, which ... states that the grading and structures contract should be let in mid-2016 ...:
Quote
Q: It looks like AHTD intends to purchase ROW for the western part of the bypass, the short piece of AR 530 between US 278 and the bypass, and an interchange that will link the bypass to US 278 on the west end.  Does AHTD intend to construct the short piece of AR 530 and the 278 interchange (or even the short new road that would be needed to link US 278 to the bypass) at the same that the western part of the bypass would be constructed?
A: Yes, this is all one project.
We are purchasing all ROW for the entire future four-lane divided Interstate facility, however you may remember we are only constructing two lanes at this time.
We anticipate letting a contract in mid-2016 for the grading and structures. As soon as that project is done, we’ll let a contract for the base and surfacing (paving).

I do not know if this is related to the snail's pace of the grading and structures contract on the eastern part of the Monticello Bypass, but, at about the 22:45 mark of the above video, Director Bennett states that they will "do everything at once" on the western part of the Bypass, which I took to mean that the grading and structures contract will be combined with a paving contract.



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