XNA Access Road Public Meeting

[MikieTimT]

They have come up with the preferred alternative for a freeway access to XNA to the Springdale Bypass (AR-612).

https://xnaaccess.transportationplanroom.com/

[edwaleni]

They have come up with the preferred alternative for a freeway access to XNA to the Springdale Bypass (AR-612).

https://xnaaccess.transportationplanroom.com/

I am surprised they didn't show the planned ROW for the Springdale Bypass all the way to US-412 near Tontitown.

Thanks for posting this!

[SkyPesos]

Will this connect to the proposed Enid-Tulsa-Springdale interstate at one end?

[MikieTimT]

Will this connect to the proposed Enid-Tulsa-Springdale interstate at one end?

Yes.  At the point it makes the bend southward to connect to the existing divided highway west of Tontitown.  Who knows how they do limited access for that part at this point, but at least it'll be connected to something that isn't a twisty 2-lane.

[MikieTimT]

They have come up with the preferred alternative for a freeway access to XNA to the Springdale Bypass (AR-612).

https://xnaaccess.transportationplanroom.com/

I am surprised they didn't show the planned ROW for the Springdale Bypass all the way to US-412 near Tontitown.

Thanks for posting this!

You're welcome!  The planned ROW for the western segment of AR-612 pretty much continues straight south until almost to US-412, where it bends westerly toward the old AR-68 intersection to tie into the existing divided US-412.

[The Ghostbuster]

Maybe this Access Road could be numbered AR 512, since it will directly connect with AR 612 (future US 412), and the AR 112 and 312 designations are already in existence.

[SkyPesos]

I-548 

[MikieTimT]

Maybe this Access Road could be numbered AR 512, since it will directly connect with AR 612 (future US 412), and the AR 112 and 312 designations are already in existence.

It probably depends on how it fits in with the North-South Connector they are studying for connecting the bend in the Bella Vista Bypass that just completed with AR-612.
https://wnsconnector.blob.core.windows.net/uploads/e02e8979-341e-45c9-b4f2-363bc8f033f2-20210829_WNS_VPM_Presentation.pdf

If they run it on the east side of XNA along Regional Ave., then it ties right into the bends in both bypasses and becomes part of the larger N/S connection.  If it turns out to just go from the bend in AR-612 to the end of Regional Ave., then if it's like most state maintained airport accesses in AR, it'll be AR-980.

[Road Hog]

I-548 

I-Airport 980.

[I-39]

Maybe this Access Road could be numbered AR 512, since it will directly connect with AR 612 (future US 412), and the AR 112 and 312 designations are already in existence.

It probably depends on how it fits in with the North-South Connector they are studying for connecting the bend in the Bella Vista Bypass that just completed with AR-612.
https://wnsconnector.blob.core.windows.net/uploads/e02e8979-341e-45c9-b4f2-363bc8f033f2-20210829_WNS_VPM_Presentation.pdf

If they run it on the east side of XNA along Regional Ave., then it ties right into the bends in both bypasses and becomes part of the larger N/S connection.  If it turns out to just go from the bend in AR-612 to the end of Regional Ave., then if it's like most state maintained airport accesses in AR, it'll be AR-980.

Why do they need a N/S highway from the Bella Vista bypass to US 412?

[mvak36]

Maybe this Access Road could be numbered AR 512, since it will directly connect with AR 612 (future US 412), and the AR 112 and 312 designations are already in existence.

It probably depends on how it fits in with the North-South Connector they are studying for connecting the bend in the Bella Vista Bypass that just completed with AR-612.
https://wnsconnector.blob.core.windows.net/uploads/e02e8979-341e-45c9-b4f2-363bc8f033f2-20210829_WNS_VPM_Presentation.pdf

If they run it on the east side of XNA along Regional Ave., then it ties right into the bends in both bypasses and becomes part of the larger N/S connection.  If it turns out to just go from the bend in AR-612 to the end of Regional Ave., then if it's like most state maintained airport accesses in AR, it'll be AR-980.

Thanks for mentioning the N/S connector. I'd forgotten about that. Depending on if they build it as a freeway and whatever alignment they choose, I think they should number it as a 3di of the the Tulsa-NWA interstate. If they choose the Pink Alternative (#2) then the airport connector and the N/S connector could probably be one 3di. If they choose the green one (Alternative 3), then they can have two 3di's.

FWIW I like that I-50 number (and your I-50 Arkansas shield) for that Tulsa-NWA route.

[MikieTimT]

Maybe this Access Road could be numbered AR 512, since it will directly connect with AR 612 (future US 412), and the AR 112 and 312 designations are already in existence.

It probably depends on how it fits in with the North-South Connector they are studying for connecting the bend in the Bella Vista Bypass that just completed with AR-612.
https://wnsconnector.blob.core.windows.net/uploads/e02e8979-341e-45c9-b4f2-363bc8f033f2-20210829_WNS_VPM_Presentation.pdf

If they run it on the east side of XNA along Regional Ave., then it ties right into the bends in both bypasses and becomes part of the larger N/S connection.  If it turns out to just go from the bend in AR-612 to the end of Regional Ave., then if it's like most state maintained airport accesses in AR, it'll be AR-980.

Thanks for mentioning the N/S connector. I'd forgotten about that. Depending on if they build it as a freeway and whatever alignment they choose, I think they should number it as a 3di of the the Tulsa-NWA interstate. If they choose the Pink Alternative (#2) then the airport connector and the N/S connector could probably be one 3di. If they choose the green one (Alternative 3), then they can have two 3di's.

FWIW I like that I-50 number (and your I-50 Arkansas shield) for that Tulsa-NWA route.

The Pink Alignment (#2) on the N/S Connector in conjunction with this access road just screams the northern 1/2 of the NWA Western Beltway that was studied a decade ago (http://www.nwarpc.org/pdf/Federal%20Review/Western_Beltway_FinalReport.pdf).  Most of the cities in NWA regardless of size annexed property in that direction as Beaver Lake/White River limits growth somewhat on the eastern side of the area except along and past the river/lake crossings on the E/W corridors.  The growth estimates of that study a decade ago were pretty accurate, and the growth shows no signs of slowing.

Thanks for the appreciation for the shield.  I can't think of any more fitting initial location for an I-50 as there really aren't any other HPC's that run for a longer distance that would warrant priority in my eyes.  Besides, there's plenty of room between US-412 and I-70 up in Missouri for an eventual I-60.  I think states have long gotten past the whole "can't have an Interstate number conflict with a US/State number" mentality in most DOTs.

[MikieTimT]

Maybe this Access Road could be numbered AR 512, since it will directly connect with AR 612 (future US 412), and the AR 112 and 312 designations are already in existence.

The Highways 59 & 72 Corridor Study Western North-South Connector Study has a slide that has what is the first designation that I've seen for the XNA Connector to the Springdale Northern Bypass: AR-642

So, it sounds like they're really going to be pushing for I-42 between Springdale and I-35.

[Plutonic Panda]

Update: https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/arkansas-connector-links-xna-springdale-bypass/67321

[MikieTimT]

Update: https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/arkansas-connector-links-xna-springdale-bypass/67321

Interesting article and timely update, even if they butchered at least one of the road designations.  AR-612S would make sense, but I've seen ARDOT docs showing it as AR-642, which makes sense if AR-612 becomes I-42.  And the AR-624 is actually AR-264.

[The Ghostbuster]

Google Maps has been updated to show construction of the western-most leg of the Springdale Northern Bypass and the southern extension of Airport Blvd. aka the XNA Access Road: https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2204843,-94.2959685,10388m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIyNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D.

[edwaleni]

Google Maps has been updated to show construction of the western-most leg of the Springdale Northern Bypass and the southern extension of Airport Blvd. aka the XNA Access Road: https://www.google.com/maps/@36.2204843,-94.2959685,10388m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIyNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D.

You beat me to it.

[Wayward Memphian]

All I know is the situation at peak hours on I-49 are becoming untenable.

I witnessed an ASP Trooper pull over a speeder and it caused a two mile back up with all lanes coming to a complete stop at times. Just for a traffic stop.
Every on ramp causes a backup til Elm Springs. Flip the script for the morning hours. Walked Marts hasn't even got their new campus done when it's mandated all be back in the office which will make matters worse. NWA growth is far outpacing to ability to keep up.

[MikieTimT]

All I know is the situation at peak hours on I-49 are becoming untenable.

I witnessed an ASP Trooper pull over a speeder and it caused a two mile back up with all lanes coming to a complete stop at times. Just for a traffic stop.
Every on ramp causes a backup til Elm Springs. Flip the script for the morning hours. Walked Marts hasn't even got their new campus done when it's mandated all be back in the office which will make matters worse. NWA growth is far outpacing to ability to keep up.

That's why I either bypass it with AR-112, or schedule my Benton County jobs off-peak to avoid I-49.  I anticipate we'll be revisiting in about 15 years the NWA Western Beltway alternative that wasn't taken back when they did the 6 laning instead, that's now due for an 8 lane upgrade already.  I'd pretty much guarantee that this AR-642 XNA Connector will tie into that once started.  The population estimates that they arrived at for 2025 back in 2011 with that study have been exceeded by a good margin as growth accelerates.

[armadillo speedbump]

That's why I either bypass it with AR-112, or schedule my Benton County jobs off-peak to avoid I-49.  I anticipate we'll be revisiting in about 15 years the NWA Western Beltway alternative that wasn't taken back when they did the 6 laning instead, that's now due for an 8 lane upgrade already.  I'd pretty much guarantee that this AR-642 XNA Connector will tie into that once started.  The population estimates that they arrived at for 2025 back in 2011 with that study have been exceeded by a good margin as growth accelerates.

Love how the "Freight Flows through the Central United States" map on document p.58 (or p.63 of 108 in pdf) has more truck traffic routing through the stoplights of Fayetteville city, Elkins, and the 2-lane, curvy, mountainous Pig Trail to Ozark than the all interstate I-49 to I-40.  That is a few miles shorter than the interstates but almost 30 minutes longer.  Just another example of the frequent sloppiness and inaccuracies of FHWA maps through the years.

[Rothman]

That's why I either bypass it with AR-112, or schedule my Benton County jobs off-peak to avoid I-49.  I anticipate we'll be revisiting in about 15 years the NWA Western Beltway alternative that wasn't taken back when they did the 6 laning instead, that's now due for an 8 lane upgrade already.  I'd pretty much guarantee that this AR-642 XNA Connector will tie into that once started.  The population estimates that they arrived at for 2025 back in 2011 with that study have been exceeded by a good margin as growth accelerates.

Love how the "Freight Flows through the Central United States" map on document p.58 (or p.63 of 108 in pdf) has more truck traffic routing through the stoplights of Fayetteville city, Elkins, and the 2-lane, curvy, mountainous Pig Trail to Ozark than the all interstate I-49 to I-40.  That is a few miles shorter than the interstates but almost 30 minutes longer.  Just another example of the frequent sloppiness and inaccuracies of FHWA maps through the years.

That map was widely used and circulated.  Believe that's when Cambridge Systematics deemed the Williamsville Toll Barrier on the NY Thruway as the biggest freight bottleneck in the country and they were understandably laughed out of the room.  Have no idea why whoever was paying them let them actually publish it.

[Wayward Memphian]

That's why I either bypass it with AR-112, or schedule my Benton County jobs off-peak to avoid I-49.  I anticipate we'll be revisiting in about 15 years the NWA Western Beltway alternative that wasn't taken back when they did the 6 laning instead, that's now due for an 8 lane upgrade already.  I'd pretty much guarantee that this AR-642 XNA Connector will tie into that once started.  The population estimates that they arrived at for 2025 back in 2011 with that study have been exceeded by a good margin as growth accelerates.

Love how the "Freight Flows through the Central United States" map on document p.58 (or p.63 of 108 in pdf) has more truck traffic routing through the stoplights of Fayetteville city, Elkins, and the 2-lane, curvy, mountainous Pig Trail to Ozark than the all interstate I-49 to I-40.  That is a few miles shorter than the interstates but almost 30 minutes longer.  Just another example of the frequent sloppiness and inaccuracies of FHWA maps through the years.

There's quite an issue with trucks being sent through Boxley Valley and running off the damn road.

[edwaleni]

Construction is clearly visible from Tontitown on the south end, to XNA on the north end. The connection to the existing route appears to be completed last.

[I-55]

Construction is clearly visible from Tontitown on the south end, to XNA on the north end. The connection to the existing route appears to be completed last.

The satellite image panel ends right where the AR-612/XNA Access interchange would be, clearly cutting off the construction progress, so it's probably also under construction to be completed at the same time.

[edwaleni]

The work on the new overpass at Tontitown is well underway.