Texarkana (Future I-49, I-69 Spur)

[Grzrd]

The October 15, 2014 Texarkana Gazette (behind paywall) reports that the ribbon-cutting will occur at noon, November 10, at the state line.

After at least four decades of planning and more than $3.2 billion in taxpayer funds spent, Interstate 49 will soon connect Arkansas and Louisiana.
The Shreveport, La.-based Coordinating and Development Corp. will hold an official ceremony celebrating the opening of the final I-49 leg connecting Arkansas and Louisiana at noon Nov. 10 at the state line, near Ida. There, the interstate's final leg will be officially recognized as connecting the two states.
More than $3.2 billion total in federal funds went to connecting I-49 from Lafayette, La., to Texarkana, Ark.–a transportation project that represents the largest public works transportation route ever constructed in the Ark-La-Tex.
After Nov. 10, I-49 will fully connect New Orleans to Missouri, following a federal effort that started as early as 1968.

My understanding is that the article erroneously reports that Coordinating and Development Corp. will hold the ceremony.

[bassoon1986]

The October 15, 2014 Texarkana Gazette (behind paywall) reports that the ribbon-cutting will occur at noon, November 10, at the state line.

After at least four decades of planning and more than $3.2 billion in taxpayer funds spent, Interstate 49 will soon connect Arkansas and Louisiana.
The Shreveport, La.-based Coordinating and Development Corp. will hold an official ceremony celebrating the opening of the final I-49 leg connecting Arkansas and Louisiana at noon Nov. 10 at the state line, near Ida. There, the interstate's final leg will be officially recognized as connecting the two states.
More than $3.2 billion total in federal funds went to connecting I-49 from Lafayette, La., to Texarkana, Ark.–a transportation project that represents the largest public works transportation route ever constructed in the Ark-La-Tex.
After Nov. 10, I-49 will fully connect New Orleans to Missouri, following a federal effort that started as early as 1968.

My understanding is that the article erroneously reports that Coordinating and Development Corp. will hold the ceremony.

Also erroneous that "I-49 will fully connect New Orleans to Missouri." The two are connected, but not by a continuous I-49...

[Road Hog]

The October 15, 2014 Texarkana Gazette (behind paywall) reports that the ribbon-cutting will occur at noon, November 10, at the state line.

After at least four decades of planning and more than $3.2 billion in taxpayer funds spent, Interstate 49 will soon connect Arkansas and Louisiana.
The Shreveport, La.-based Coordinating and Development Corp. will hold an official ceremony celebrating the opening of the final I-49 leg connecting Arkansas and Louisiana at noon Nov. 10 at the state line, near Ida. There, the interstate's final leg will be officially recognized as connecting the two states.
More than $3.2 billion total in federal funds went to connecting I-49 from Lafayette, La., to Texarkana, Ark.–a transportation project that represents the largest public works transportation route ever constructed in the Ark-La-Tex.
After Nov. 10, I-49 will fully connect New Orleans to Missouri, following a federal effort that started as early as 1968.

My understanding is that the article erroneously reports that Coordinating and Development Corp. will hold the ceremony.

Also erroneous that "I-49 will fully connect New Orleans to Missouri." The two are connected, but not by a continuous I-49...

They already were connected via I-55.

[Anthony_JK]

The October 15, 2014 Texarkana Gazette (behind paywall) reports that the ribbon-cutting will occur at noon, November 10, at the state line.

After at least four decades of planning and more than $3.2 billion in taxpayer funds spent, Interstate 49 will soon connect Arkansas and Louisiana.
The Shreveport, La.-based Coordinating and Development Corp. will hold an official ceremony celebrating the opening of the final I-49 leg connecting Arkansas and Louisiana at noon Nov. 10 at the state line, near Ida. There, the interstate's final leg will be officially recognized as connecting the two states.
More than $3.2 billion total in federal funds went to connecting I-49 from Lafayette, La., to Texarkana, Ark.–a transportation project that represents the largest public works transportation route ever constructed in the Ark-La-Tex.
After Nov. 10, I-49 will fully connect New Orleans to Missouri, following a federal effort that started as early as 1968.

My understanding is that the article erroneously reports that Coordinating and Development Corp. will hold the ceremony.

WOW. So much fail with that article.

You mean, Arkansas should take any credit for I-49 built between Lafayette and Shreveport?? Really???

And, let's fund and build I-49 South, the Shreveport ICC, the segment between Texarkana and Fort Chaffee, the BVB, and maybe even fix that Bruce Watkins Drive thing, before declaring victory, OK??

Opening the Shreveport-Texarkana segment will be a tremendous achievement, but let's not get too heady yet. Still a ways to go.

[NE2]

I-49 South has nothing to do with connecting New Orleans to Missouri.

[Anthony_JK]

I-49 South has nothing to do with connecting New Orleans to Missouri.

Really?? If you are talking about completing I-49 from New Orleans to Kansas City, it has a lot to do with it.

And yes, I'm well aware of I-55 already connecting NOLA with KCM. The article was about I-49, though.

[NE2]

I-49 South has nothing to do with connecting New Orleans to Missouri.

Really?? If you are talking about completing I-49 from New Orleans to Kansas City, it has a lot to do with it.

And yes, I'm well aware of I-55 already connecting NOLA with KCM. The article was about I-49, though.

I-10 is about 20 miles shorter than I-49 (and you save another 15 miles by cutting over on US 190). I-49 South may benefit the intermediate points, but for New Orleans to Shreveport and north it's shit.

[Anthony_JK]

Understood, and still not my point. The article was still about I-49, and the author's misstatement about completing I-49 as a connection between NOLA and Missouri.

And for the record, I do believe that I-55 is actually shorter.

[NE2]

Understood, and still not my point. The article was still about I-49, and the author's misstatement about completing I-49 as a connection between NOLA and Missouri.

Then why did you mention I-49 South? Only the huge part in Arkansas and the Bella Vista bypass are necessary to connect NO to KC.

And for the record, I do believe that I-55 is actually shorter.

Holy crap, it's essentially the same distance going I-55 to I-70 as going I-49 all the way. More proof that I-49 has nothing to do with NO-KC through traffic.

(PS: going via Little Rock and Springfield saves about 100 miles over both, though a fair amount is two-lane.)

[jbnv]

Not to mention that only for people in south Louisiana is I-49 South needed to "complete" I-49.

[O Tamandua]

The October 15, 2014 Texarkana Gazette (behind paywall) reports that the ribbon-cutting will occur at noon, November 10, at the state line.

After at least four decades of planning and more than $3.2 billion in taxpayer funds spent, Interstate 49 will soon connect Arkansas and Louisiana.
The Shreveport, La.-based Coordinating and Development Corp. will hold an official ceremony celebrating the opening of the final I-49 leg connecting Arkansas and Louisiana at noon Nov. 10 at the state line, near Ida. There, the interstate's final leg will be officially recognized as connecting the two states.
More than $3.2 billion total in federal funds went to connecting I-49 from Lafayette, La., to Texarkana, Ark.–a transportation project that represents the largest public works transportation route ever constructed in the Ark-La-Tex.
After Nov. 10, I-49 will fully connect New Orleans to Missouri, following a federal effort that started as early as 1968.

My understanding is that the article erroneously reports that Coordinating and Development Corp. will hold the ceremony.

This is still great news, regardless of some of the errant details.

[txstateends]

After Nov. 10, I-49 will fully connect New Orleans to Missouri

This is still great news, regardless of some of the errant details.

Well, it is *sorta* correct, I-49 will fully connect after Nov. 10, it just doesn't say exactly when....
(attempting to hide from the tomatoes and eggs under a desk I no longer have )

[Grzrd]

The October 15, 2014 Texarkana Gazette (behind paywall) reports that the ribbon-cutting will occur at noon, November 10, at the state line.

Ceremony Time Change Alert!  For those thinking of attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony, this AHTD Information Release states that the ceremony is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and not noon:

WHAT: Dedication event to celebrate completion of the final section of Interstate 49 between Texarkana, AR and Shreveport, LA ....
WHEN: Monday, November 10 at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: The event will take place at the Arkansas-Louisiana state line on the new location of I-49. To access the event area travel I-49 north from Shreveport or I-49 south from Texarkana to the new section. A ribbon cutting will take place across the new lanes.

[US71]

The October 15, 2014 Texarkana Gazette (behind paywall) reports that the ribbon-cutting will occur at noon, November 10, at the state line.

Ceremony Time Change Alert!  For those thinking of attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony, this AHTD Information Release states that the ceremony is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and not noon:

WHEN: Monday, November 10 at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: The event will take place at the Arkansas-Louisiana state line on the new location of I-49. To access the event area travel I-49 north from Shreveport or I-49 south from Texarkana to the new section. A ribbon cutting will take place across the new lanes.

As of now, I will be there.

[Grzrd]

I don't think Arkansas will post a 75 MPH speed limit, but a 28.9 mile project to install a cable median barrier from the LA state line to Texarkana is scheduled for the November 5 letting

AHTD posted the contract award for this project today:



Some new work to begin after the Nov. 10 opening.

[Grzrd]

AHTD, I know it's too late for NWA, but is there still a possibility to get the state name on the SWA shields?

Not in the cards.....

The following graphic from this article about the upcoming ribbon cutting provides yet another tease about what might have been:



Maybe on the Bella Vista Bypass when the time comes ..................

[Grzrd]

LaDOTD has issued a press release about the ribbon cutting that describes Gov. Jindal as the "highlight" of the grand occasion

(above quote from I49 in LA thread)

For the sake of comparison, here is AHTD's press release about the ribbon cutting. Regarding the installation of I-49 shields, it states that approximately 200 AR 549 signs in the Texarkana/ Miller County area will be replaced with I-49 shields beginning this week:

Arkansas and Louisiana officials gathered at the state line today to dedicate completion of the final segment of a new Interstate connecting Texarkana, AR to Shreveport, LA. The Federal Highway Administration recently designated the entire section as Interstate 49, replacing what was Highway 549 in Arkansas. Approximately 200 existing Highway 549 signs will be replaced with I-49 signs beginning  this week.
"We dedicate a lot of our Arkansas highway projects,"  said Arkansas State Highway and Transportation (AHTD) Director Scott Bennett. "But it's not every day that we open one of this magnitude."

Last call for AR 549 photos in the Texarkana area!

[bugo]

I want one of the AR 549 signs. I doubt that AHTD would sell me one, though.

[US71]

I want one of the AR 549 signs. I doubt that AHTD would sell me one, though.

Have Agentsteel make you one

[Grzrd]

here is AHTD's press release about the ribbon cutting.

This Texarkana Gazette article (behind paywall) reports on one speaker looking to the future with both I-49 and I-69 in Texarkana and another speaker reminiscing about how John Paul Hammerschmitt brought home the bacon for the Arkansas I-49 side of the Northern Loop:

The celebration actually started more than two hours earlier at Copeland's restaurant in Texarkana, Ark ....
"This is more than just about a celebration of a road opening,"  said Texarkana Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Cork to the Copeland's crowd. "This is a celebration of community spirit 28 years in the making. We are looking at one day having three interstates connecting right here–I-30, I49 and I-69. This can only result from the vision of all you people in this room that make things like this happen."  ....
Curt Green, president of the I-49 International Coalition .... then welcomed former Texarkana Chamber President Robert E. "Swede"  Lee to speak.
Lee recalled his introduction to I-49 being a newspaper article about the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce meeting addressing the roadway's possible future northern expansion.
"I cut the article out and taped it to my desk and I later called the Shreveport Chamber president and suggested we get together and discuss extending I-49 northward and he agreed,"  Lee said. "From there it became a long and hard learning process about how highways are built. I found out you have to go to Washington D.C. to get it done."
While in Washington D.C. attempting to get whatever money he could, Lee said he met Arkansas' U.S. Sen. John Paul Hammerschmitt.
"John Paul told me it might cost as much as half-a billion dollars to build the interstate through Arkansas and I asked him if he was crazy,"  Lee said. "But John Paul was able to get as much as $300 million for the Arkansas portion and earmarked $70 million out of it to help pay for I-49's loop around Texarkana on the Arkansas-side."

At least Texarkana benefitted from the earmark era.

[US71]

Mr Hammerschmidt did indeed bring home the "bacon" for I-49 in NW Arkansas, though "Prissy" Hickerson is pretty much credited for the Texarkana Loop.

[apjung]

Google Maps has updated I-49, now waiting for the updated satellite maps. It still looks so beautiful to see I-49 as one continuous stretch from Texarkana to Shreveport.
http://goo.gl/maps/9G0nC

[MikeSantNY78]

Google Maps has updated I-49, now waiting for the updated satellite maps. It still looks so beautiful to see I-49 as one continuous stretch from Texarkana to Shreveport.
http://goo.gl/maps/9G0nC

Open Street Map has that stretch filled in, too; showing as U.C. (dotted blue) from LA 1 to I-220, and proposed (dotted teal) from I-220 down to N. Hearne (the upper half of the ICC)...

[US71]

Google Maps has updated I-49, now waiting for the updated satellite maps. It still looks so beautiful to see I-49 as one continuous stretch from Texarkana to Shreveport.
http://goo.gl/maps/9G0nC

North of Doddridge, I see Google has it dually-signed I-49/ AR 549.

[bugo]

I want an authentic AR 549 shield. If I were going to get Jake to make me a sign, it would be something odd like a US 412 cutout.