I-49 in Arkansas

[MikieTimT]

The I Drive Arkansas camera by the US 71 I-49 interchange has a nice view of the open southbound lanes.  Though the vast majority of southbound traffic is from US 71 south.

https://idrivearkansas.com/

Agreed!  the NB camera view is great to see the flow & updates on the construction.  i'm interested to see the "touchup" work on the hill face across from the camera.

A timelapse of that feed over the next few weeks would be cool to watch the hillside disappear chunks at a time.

And it just goes to show how overdue this final segment of I-49 has been these past few decades.  Bella Vista is fixing to be pleasant to drive for the residents.

[Tomahawkin]

Now, I'm guessing it will take 15 years for the Ft Smith to Texarkana stretch to be completed? When completed. IMO, IH 49 in Arkansas will be one of the most scenic interstates in the midsouth, it should considered a high priority economic corridor to the feds with the amount of interstate commerce that go from Canada to Mexico via IH 49

[Arkansastravelguy]

Now, I'm guessing it will take 15 years for the Ft Smith to Texarkana stretch to be completed? When completed. IMO, IH 49 in Arkansas will be one of the most scenic interstates in the midsouth, it should considered a high priority economic corridor to the feds with the amount of interstate commerce that go from Canada to Mexico via IH 49

15 years? You have a lot of faith in ARdot [emoji23]

[sparker]

Now, I'm guessing it will take 15 years for the Ft Smith to Texarkana stretch to be completed? When completed. IMO, IH 49 in Arkansas will be one of the most scenic interstates in the midsouth, it should considered a high priority economic corridor to the feds with the amount of interstate commerce that go from Canada to Mexico via IH 49

15 years? You have a lot of faith in ARdot [emoji23]

Considering the scope, terrain, and the perennial funding issues of what remains, 25-30 years is more realistic.  Could be dropped to around 20 with a healthy dose of federal (i.e. earmark) funding. 

[msunat97]

I'm 47 & I never expect to see 49 completed in my lifetime.  25-30 years it optimistic with the way things move in DC.

[US71]

Now, I'm guessing it will take 15 years for the Ft Smith to Texarkana stretch to be completed? When completed. IMO, IH 49 in Arkansas will be one of the most scenic interstates in the midsouth, it should considered a high priority economic corridor to the feds with the amount of interstate commerce that go from Canada to Mexico via IH 49

15 years? You have a lot of faith in ARdot [emoji23]

It took from the mid-60's to go over the mountain.

[wdcrft63]

I'm 47 & I never expect to see 49 completed in my lifetime.  25-30 years it optimistic with the way things move in DC.

Does ARDoT have a plan for completing I-49? Do they have the route broken down into phases with a list of priorities indicating in what order segments will be built? That's essential to being able to attract funding, federal or state.

[Road Hog]

Bypassing the bigger towns first like Mena and DeQueen (even with a super-2 to start) would make a huge difference in travel time. From Greenwood to Texarkana via US 71 is 166 miles. Should be two hours and change. Instead it's 3:15 with usual traffic, according to the Goog. And you KNOW there will be a logging truck.

[Tomahawkin]

yeah, I was optomistic about 49, then I forgot that ARDOT Is in charge. With that in mind, IH 30 and 40 projects will take priority

[MikieTimT]

yeah, I was optomistic about 49, then I forgot that ARDOT Is in charge. With that in mind, IH 30 and 40 projects will take priority

They will certainly get the lion's share of funds, and rightfully so with AADT counts.  However, the perpetuation of the 1/2 cent sales tax after its original sunset was predicated on progress on the 4 Corners with 4 lanes idea that they've bandied about for a few decades now.  And a Super-2 from Ft. Smith to Y City was one of the routes on the marketing push from ARDOT to get the sales tax extended.  None of that binds them to a timeline, however, but politicians including our "Republican" governor hitched their wagon to this infrastructure push, so they've got to show something for our continued sales tax support, and not just in Central AR/NWA.

[mvak36]

yeah, I was optomistic about 49, then I forgot that ARDOT Is in charge. With that in mind, IH 30 and 40 projects will take priority

They will certainly get the lion's share of funds, and rightfully so with AADT counts.  However, the perpetuation of the 1/2 cent sales tax after its original sunset was predicated on progress on the 4 Corners with 4 lanes idea that they've bandied about for a few decades now.  And a Super-2 from Ft. Smith to Y City was one of the routes on the marketing push from ARDOT to get the sales tax extended.  None of that binds them to a timeline, however, but politicians including our "Republican" governor hitched their wagon to this infrastructure push, so they've got to show something for our continued sales tax support, and not just in Central AR/NWA.

I'm still waiting to see when they'll publish a new project list for that CAP2 program. I emailed them a few months back but never heard anything.

[msunat97]

The I Drive Arkansas camera by the US 71 I-49 interchange has a nice view of the open southbound lanes.  Though the vast majority of southbound traffic is from US 71 south.

https://idrivearkansas.com/

Agreed!  the NB camera view is great to see the flow & updates on the construction.  i'm interested to see the "touchup" work on the hill face across from the camera.

A timelapse of that feed over the next few weeks would be cool to watch the hillside disappear chunks at a time.

And it just goes to show how overdue this final segment of I-49 has been these past few decades.  Bella Vista is fixing to be pleasant to drive for the residents.

The real-time is cool also...the contractor just dropped a load of rock and debris on the roadway.  Too bad the cameras don't have sound.

[chays]

Will the new roadway be signed I-49 immediately?

[US71]

Will the new roadway be signed I-49 immediately?

Yes.

Technically, it already is, but the signs are covered. There are maybe 3 or 4 549 signa left at US 71 in Bella Vista.

[MikieTimT]

Will the new roadway be signed I-49 immediately?

Yes.

Technically, it already is, but the signs are covered. There are maybe 3 or 4 549 signa left at US 71 in Bella Vista.

Most of the signs aren't even covered anymore.  It's I-49 (with left lane closed in both directions for striping/shoulder/median/cable barrier work) already pretty much except at the south end.  Still no news from ARDOT on the exit renumbering south of Bella Vista yet.  I emailed them a few weeks ago, and they were pretty vague on the plan in the response.

[US71]

Will the new roadway be signed I-49 immediately?

Yes.

Technically, it already is, but the signs are covered. There are maybe 3 or 4 549 signa left at US 71 in Bella Vista.

Most of the signs aren't even covered anymore.  It's I-49 (with left lane closed in both directions for striping/shoulder/median/cable barrier work) already pretty much except at the south end.  Still no news from ARDOT on the exit renumbering south of Bella Vista yet.  I emailed them a few weeks ago, and they were pretty vague on the plan in the response.

That's news to me. As of a week ago (8/24) most of the signs were still covered.

[Arkansastravelguy]

Will the new roadway be signed I-49 immediately?

Yes.

Technically, it already is, but the signs are covered. There are maybe 3 or 4 549 signa left at US 71 in Bella Vista.

Most of the signs aren't even covered anymore.  It's I-49 (with left lane closed in both directions for striping/shoulder/median/cable barrier work) already pretty much except at the south end.  Still no news from ARDOT on the exit renumbering south of Bella Vista yet.  I emailed them a few weeks ago, and they were pretty vague on the plan in the response.

That's news to me. As of a week ago (8/24) most of the signs were still covered.

I'm going to head up there in an hour or so and I'll take more pics. I've seen 3 549 signs recently, two at 71B and one on Highlands, a to 549 sign. They are sandbagged tho, not in the ground. Idk about the AR72 exits


iPhone

[MikieTimT]

Will the new roadway be signed I-49 immediately?

Yes.

Technically, it already is, but the signs are covered. There are maybe 3 or 4 549 signa left at US 71 in Bella Vista.

Most of the signs aren't even covered anymore.  It's I-49 (with left lane closed in both directions for striping/shoulder/median/cable barrier work) already pretty much except at the south end.  Still no news from ARDOT on the exit renumbering south of Bella Vista yet.  I emailed them a few weeks ago, and they were pretty vague on the plan in the response.

That's news to me. As of a week ago (8/24) most of the signs were still covered.

I'm going to head up there in an hour or so and I'll take more pics. I've seen 3 549 signs recently, two at 71B and one on Highlands, a to 549 sign. They are sandbagged tho, not in the ground. Idk about the AR72 exits


iPhone

The signs at the junctions to the entrance ramps are likely still covered.  I'm thinking about the confidence signage on the road itself.  I don't remember seeing anything northbound that says AR-549 once you get up the hill from the south entrance.  I'll be up there in about 3 hours after I wrap up some work stuff and refresh my memory up to Rocky Dell Hollow Rd. and back.

[US71]

The signs at the junctions to the entrance ramps are likely still covered.  I'm thinking about the confidence signage on the road itself.  I don't remember seeing anything northbound that says AR-549 once you get up the hill from the south entrance.  I'll be up there in about 3 hours after I wrap up some work stuff and refresh my memory up to Rocky Dell Hollow Rd. and back.

All gone! Replaced with I-49 signage (still covered as of a week ago). Most of the BGS's are in place using mileage computed from Louisiana.

[Arkansastravelguy]

The second sign has the old exit numbers

[Arkansastravelguy]

Will the new roadway be signed I-49 immediately?

Yes.

Technically, it already is, but the signs are covered. There are maybe 3 or 4 549 signa left at US 71 in Bella Vista.

Most of the signs aren't even covered anymore.  It's I-49 (with left lane closed in both directions for striping/shoulder/median/cable barrier work) already pretty much except at the south end.  Still no news from ARDOT on the exit renumbering south of Bella Vista yet.  I emailed them a few weeks ago, and they were pretty vague on the plan in the response.

That's news to me. As of a week ago (8/24) most of the signs were still covered.

Some are some are not

[US71]

That's news to me. As of a week ago (8/24) most of the signs were still covered.

Some are some are not

Still "most"  

[US71]

The second sign has the old exit numbers

THIS sign is new within the last week. Likely for US 71 North.

[Arkansastravelguy]

Projected ribbon cutting is September 30th at 10am at the state line

[US71]

Projected ribbon cutting is September 30th at 10am at the state line

But conflicting info on if the road will be open or wait a couple weeks.