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[Grzrd]

http://www.thecitywire.com/index.php?q=node/11245

Feds signed over $10 million in TIGER grants to Arkansas (I assume Missouri is allowing Arkansas to use its $5 million that it never requested in the first place) and Arkansas has committed an additional $43 million for a total of $53 million to begin construction on the Bella Vista Bypass (approximately 20% of $250 million estimated to complete Arkansas portion).

Does anyone know if AHTD has indicated which section it would want to build first?

[US71]

http://www.thecitywire.com/index.php?q=node/11245

Feds signed over $10 million in TIGER grants to Arkansas (I assume Missouri is allowing Arkansas to use its $5 million that it never requested in the first place) and Arkansas has committed an additional $43 million for a total of $53 million to begin construction on the Bella Vista Bypass (approximately 20% of $250 million estimated to complete Arkansas portion).

Does anyone know if AHTD has indicated which section it would want to build first?

No idea. I would guess south to north, but that's a guess. So far, AHTD is ignoring my questions on this.

[ShawnP]

MODOT said Arkansas told them they are building it as a super two.

[US71]

MODOT said Arkansas told them they are building it as a super two.

I heard 2-Lane, but never heard specifically it would be a "Super 2". Do you have a link to the article?

[ShawnP]

Try MODOT Southwest's Facebook page........

[US71]

Try MODOT Southwest's Facebook page........

Arkansas only has enough funding to move forward with a two-lane bypass over the next six years.

I see no reference to a Super 2.

[ShawnP]

A none super two would be a death trap IMHO.

[bugo]

I see no reference to a Super 2.

I saw on KFSM that the road was to be built as a 2 lane with room to expand to 4 lanes in the future.  This implies it will be a super 2.

[US71]

A none super two would be a death trap IMHO.

No arguement, there. Let me check again w/ AHTD. Maybe I'll get a different zombie to reply

[US71]

Here is a little more info from Gridlock Guru

Looks like the first section will be built around Hiwasse (middle of nowhere, of course) .

[ShawnP]

Well that would be a dead end road for some time....Arkansas has itself in quiet a pickle.

[US71]

Well that would be a dead end road for some time....Arkansas has itself in quiet a pickle.

It would be a complete waste of time to build it first. But maybe there's less ROW acquisition.

[ShawnP]

Trying not to get political here but there are considerations that might be pushing Arkansas to move faster. The TIGER grant they gor for 10 million said the project must be completed or going by certain date. Maybe they are pushing to get under that timeline. I know Missouri gave them 5 million of the TIGER grant to help.

[US71]

Trying not to get political here but there are considerations that might be pushing Arkansas to move faster. The TIGER grant they got for 10 million said the project must be completed or going by certain date. Maybe they are pushing to get under that timeline. I know Missouri gave them 5 million of the TIGER grant to help.

True. If they are "on a clock", then as I suggested earlier, Hiwasse may be the easiest section to start on (fewer hassles with ROW acquisition, relatively flat terrain, few major roads to hassle with), thus faster to finish.

I wonder if the "bypass" will be part of AR 279 (albeit temporarily)?

*UPDATE*

The Bella Vista Bypass WILL be a Super 2... or at least the first project will. The limits of the project will likely be from AR 72 to AR 72 (per AHTD's e-mail). The second project may be grading & structures to the MO Line, but has yet to be determined.

I don't see how it can be Hwy 72 to Hwy 72 unless it's an E-W alignment. It would be somewhat ironic though, to have "new" 71 built on top of "old" 71 (1920's-30's alignment)  

[Grzrd]

I just received an email from AHTD as well:

The first section of the bypass will be built on the southern end, in the area of Hiwasse, AR.
Yes, TIGER does have deadlines for beginning a project.
The first project is scheduled for a February 23rd, 2011, letting.
Right of Way has been acquired for four lanes.  The two lanes being built next year will be two of those future four lanes.

[bugo]

I just received an email from AHTD as well:

The first section of the bypass will be built on the southern end, in the area of Hiwasse, AR.

Yes, TIGER does have deadlines for beginning a project.

The first project is scheduled for a February 23rd, 2011, letting.

Right of Way has been acquired for four lanes.  The two lanes being built next year will be two of those future four lanes.

I wonder what the temporary designation of the road will be before it's completed.  AR 540?  AR 49?  AR x49? 

[Grzrd]

^I asked your question re temporary designation.

Answer:

We have not decided on a designation yet, but it will be a similar situation as the section south of Texarkana.

[US71]

I asked your question re temporary designation.

Answer: "We have not decided on a designation yet, but it will be a similar situation as the section south of Texarkana."

Shall we start a betting pool?  149 (NO), 349? 749? 949? 

[Grzrd]

Don't rule out recycling of 549.  Doddridge to LA state line might be finished before Hiwasse section of Bypass needs to be designated.  TIGER just says you have to start project by a certain time; it doesn't say you have to finish it in a timely manner. 

[US71]

Don't rule out recycling of 549.  Doddridge to LA state line might be finished before Hiwasse section of Bypass needs to be designated.  TIGER just says you have to start project by a certain time; it doesn't say you have to finish it in a timely manner.  

I would think 549 would remain until it's all done, unless you redesignate it US 71 (in which case, would 471 return from the dead? )

On second thought:
Considering how often Arkansas duplicates numbers (37, 43, 45, 74, 103) it could be another section of 549 

[Grzrd]

You're right. Scratch 549.

[bugo]

I asked your question re temporary designation.

Answer: "We have not decided on a designation yet, but it will be a similar situation as the section south of Texarkana."

Shall we start a betting pool?  149 (NO), 349? 749? 949?  

AR 540?

[bugo]

I would think 549 would remain until it's all done, unless you redesignate it US 71 (in which case, would 471 return from the dead? )

Originally, US 71 was going to be rerouted onto what is now AR 549/Future I-49.  Current/old US 71 was going to be AR 471.  But some locals bitched and moaned, and the current setup was approved.

[US71]

Originally, US 71 was going to be rerouted onto what is now AR 549/Future I-49.  Current/old US 71 was going to be AR 471.  But some locals bitched and moaned, and the current setup was approved.

I don't know about Texarkana, but it was mostly true in NW Arkansas.  "Old" 71 was going to be AR 471, but got changed to 71B after local businesses complained that no one would know 471 was old 71.

[Grzrd]

I just received an AHTD email update re work in Fort Smith/ Fort Chaffee area:

Regarding the Fort Smith/Fort Chaffee area, a project is underway that will construct 2.7 miles of roadway embankment, two overpass bridges and four box culverts for I-49.  The work is located between County Road 8 and Custer Boulevard.   Work should be completed in the fall of 2011.  A project is also underway that is constructing a new interchange at Highway 22.  This job should be completed in a few months.  The next step is a project extending from Massard Road to Roberts Boulevard, which is north of the current project.  It is scheduled to be let to bids next month.