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[MikieTimT]

I don't recall the Y City-Acorn passage as particularly treacherous.

That is called Foran Gap. Black Fork Mountain rises in eastern Oklahoma near Page, and heads into Arkansas and terminates at Eagle Gap. Fourche Mountain begins at the other side of Eagle Gap, and runs all the way into Montgomery County. Foran Gap is a natural pass that runs northwest-southeast and cuts through the rather tall mountain (by Ouachita standards), and that is the reason US 71 and 270 has the huge S curve. in it. Foran Gap isn't bad at all, but if you tried to build a freeway over Fourche Mountain that ran due north from Acorn, it would have some very steep grades and there would be plenty of curves. When I-49 is routed through there, there will only be one really big sweeping curve in it, since it will run due south from CR 70 towards AR 88 east of Mena, and avoiding Acorn entirely. Blue Mountain, which is a peak on Fourche Mountain, is the fifth highest point in the state. A structure will have to be built at Foran Gap where the Ouachita Trail crosses the highway. Hopefully they will somehow retain access to the trail at this point.

Here's a Google Earth shot of Foran Gap, looking northwest. It's easy to see how the mountain has a low spot in it where the highways run.

Excellent perspective on the Foran Gap. Thanks for sharing.

And this view give a decent perspective of the elevation relief that this section has to navigate through:

https://goo.gl/maps/kSwfmAEM5uSpUUSG6

[MikieTimT]

The 2023-2026 draft STIP was posted by ARDOT.  Looks like 2025 has budgeted $256M for Future I-49 across the Arkansas River from AR-22 to Gun Club Rd.  Almost assuredly 2 lanes initially at that rate.  There's several other items for project development of the other segments, including the I-40/I-49 interchange.  Not a done deal since it's a draft version, but unlikely to be significant changes barring any world changing events.

https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2023-2026_STIP_Draft_General_Electronic.pdf Pg. 3 and 4 (Slide 34-35)

[MikieTimT]

ARDOT Public Involvement Meeting in Alma 9/29 from 4PM-7PM to present the plans for I-40<->AR-22.  Looks like they are changing to a half mile long embankment on the north side of the river to reduce bridging costs of the Arkansas River.  Online materials also include a nice flyover animation of the 4 level stack for I-40/I-49.  Looks like ~2027 before the connection is finished, although there isn't anything in these materials about it being limited to 2 lanes initially, so maybe the federal money fairy is blessing the project?

https://vpiph03-job-040748-hwy-22-i40-arkansas-river-i49-en-ardot.hub.arcgis.com/

[zzcarp]

Wow, that is a nicely detailed site with the roll plans and the 3D renderings! Kudos to ARDOT.

Does anyone know the reason why there are two southbound ramps to Clear Creek Road, both of which having full movements?

[MikieTimT]

Wow, that is a nicely detailed site with the roll plans and the 3D renderings! Kudos to ARDOT.

Does anyone know the reason why there are two southbound ramps to Clear Creek Road, both of which having full movements?

That is a head scratcher, especially for a project that isn't fully funded yet.  Gives options for easier right-turn movements, but certainly seems redundant especially for a road that's 2800 AADT as of 2021.

[Road Hog]

Wow, that is a nicely detailed site with the roll plans and the 3D renderings! Kudos to ARDOT.

Does anyone know the reason why there are two southbound ramps to Clear Creek Road, both of which having full movements?

That is a head scratcher, especially for a project that isn't fully funded yet.  Gives options for easier right-turn movements, but certainly seems redundant especially for a road that's 2800 AADT as of 2021.

I'm guessing that part is still in design and the video is incorporating both options.

[MikieTimT]

Wow, that is a nicely detailed site with the roll plans and the 3D renderings! Kudos to ARDOT.

Does anyone know the reason why there are two southbound ramps to Clear Creek Road, both of which having full movements?

That is a head scratcher, especially for a project that isn't fully funded yet.  Gives options for easier right-turn movements, but certainly seems redundant especially for a road that's 2800 AADT as of 2021.

I'm guessing that part is still in design and the video is incorporating both options.

Makes sense.  And if that's the case, then the best option in my opinion is the straight ramp as most traffic will be turning right toward town anyway.  Unless ROW constraints necessitate the curved option, it's always better to decelerate slowly straight to the intersection.

[MikieTimT]

ARDOT found hidden water lines, further delaying the Exit 64/Wedington Dr. project.  Now they estimate it's 10% complete with the added delay and they're looking at 2 years until complete.  This likely causes an overlap in construction with the Exit 62/MLK project which was independently developed and funded, so fun times ahead next year in south Fayetteville!

https://www.4029tv.com/article/utilities-hampering-i-49-wedington-project/41537710

[US71]

And we're off...sort of

https://www.nwahomepage.com/river-valley-news/future-interstate-49-to-break-ground-in-barling/

[Bobby5280]

It's about damned time.

[Tomahawkin]

It's 10+ years overdue. Hopefully by 2024 the next phase will already be signed and we can get how they are planning to run the route

[MikieTimT]

I think this "groundbreaking" is just for the grubbing and clearing from AR-22 to H Street toward the river as that's all that's the only project budgeted for the next year.  My guess is that we're going to have lots of groundbreaking ceremonies at this rate before we get 2 lanes across the river and up to I-40.

[msunat97]

I think this "groundbreaking" is just for the grubbing and clearing from AR-22 to H Street toward the river as that's all that's the only project budgeted for the next year.  My guess is that we're going to have lots of groundbreaking ceremonies at this rate before we get 2 lanes across the river and up to I-40.

You are 100% correct

[O Tamandua]

The "3 Bs" of Arkansas I-49:

1. The Bella Vista Bypass (counting it as one "B"  , complete)
2. The Bridge (over the Arkansas River - starting, however modestly)
3. The Big one (Greenwood-Texarkana, Greenwood-Y City 2-lane funding allocated(?), after that, ?)

[US71]

I think this "groundbreaking" is just for the grubbing and clearing from AR-22 to H Street toward the river as that's all that's the only project budgeted for the next year.  My guess is that we're going to have lots of groundbreaking ceremonies at this rate before we get 2 lanes across the river and up to I-40.

You are 100% correct

But it's a start, so give ARDOT at least some credit

[Road Hog]

The "3 Bs" of Arkansas I-49:

1. The Bella Vista Bypass (counting it as one "B"  , complete)
2. The Bridge (over the Arkansas River - starting, however modestly)
3. The Big one (Greenwood-Texarkana, Greenwood-Y City 2-lane funding allocated(?), after that, ?)

4. ???
5. PROFIT!

[MikieTimT]

I think this "groundbreaking" is just for the grubbing and clearing from AR-22 to H Street toward the river as that's all that's the only project budgeted for the next year.  My guess is that we're going to have lots of groundbreaking ceremonies at this rate before we get 2 lanes across the river and up to I-40.

You are 100% correct

But it's a start, so give ARDOT at least some credit

True, but if it takes more than a couple of years to progress to the southern bridge approach with actual roadbed (Draft STIP isn't clear on what "project development" entails), they'll wind up clearing it again the way vegetation grows in Arkansas everywhere that isn't in the mountains.  I grew up in the river valley, so I know how fast brush can creep back up if it isn't kept mowed.  Pretty much everything can grow there that isn't tropical.