US-412 highway upgrades and bypass (a.k.a. AR-612) in NWA: the thread

[TBKS1]

Oh, that's on me for not seeing there were workers around in that picture haha, I don't blame you. Probably won't be too much longer then!

[MikieTimT]

Oh, that's on me for not seeing there were workers around in that picture haha, I don't blame you. Probably won't be too much longer then!

All of these pics were taken after 6PM today, so that just goes to show how long rush hour(s) last in NWA now and how late they're working to get this done with the great weather we've had.  I guess that's the upside of being abnormally dry this year, but at least we're not in drought any longer here.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Cross-posting this post from the XNA Access Road thread:

From ARDOT's Facebook page:

"Work is going well on the new 4-lane connector road to the Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). Construction is expected to wrap up in a few short months, and we're estimating a completion date of late 2026.
This new road is going to help shorten travel times, minimize delays, and will simply make accessing XNA much easier. Here are some photos of the progress."

If I'm reading this correctly, this will open the same time as the AR 612 (future US 412/I-42) segment 2 of the bypass around Springdale.

[TBKS1]

The official ARDOT Facebook page posted a flyover video of the XNA connector and part of the bypass, which can be found here https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GkDCtERdG/ (even if you're not on Facebook, you should still be able to see this).

The post reads as follows:

This beautiful scene attached is an overhead view of the new XNA Connector Road.
This new road is a 4-lane, 4-mile highway connecting the Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) to the Springdale Bypass, which is also quickly approaching completion of its' 2nd phase.
Weather permitting, the XNA Connector is expected to be substantially completed by late August/early September of 2026.

The ARNOLD map still shows this to be completed (in full) by either November or December 2026 but there's been very little getting in the way of construction on this bypass. Again, I'll likely go up there once it's fully open.

[Bobby5280]

Imagery of the bypass and XNA connector in Google Earth is fairly recent (10/4/2025).

Aren't there still some long range plans to extend the connector farther North, East of the Airport and maybe eventually up to Bentonville and I-49? The point near the end of the connector where it drops to 2-lanes looks like a sort of detour off the 4-lane path that's pointing due North.

I'm still wondering how they plan on handling US-412 from the West end of the bypass towards Siloam Springs. They could probably upgrade a good bit of US-412 to Interstate standards over the existing 4-lane divided road. They'll have to start a new terrain bypass some point East of the spot where the highway transitions from 4-lane divided into a 5-lane surface street.

[TBKS1]

Aren't there still some long range plans to extend the connector farther North, East of the Airport and maybe eventually up to Bentonville and I-49? The point near the end of the connector where it drops to 2-lanes looks like a sort of detour off the 4-lane path that's pointing due North.

Technically yes there is, see this post, but it probably won't be done for at least 20 years at a minimum.

[mvak36]

I saw something interesting in the meeting minutes for the June 17 Commission Meeting. One Page 13 and 14 of the pdf, they had minute orders for designation of Interstate 42 (for portions of the Springdale Bypass, pending FHWA and AASHTO approval) and State Route 642 (the XNA connector). Not sure if the minute orders got approved by the commission.

In case the pdf link doesn't work or gets updated later on, here is the link to their Meeting Presentations: https://ardot.gov/divisions/communications/ardot-meeting-presentations/

[Bobby5280]

Technically yes there is, see this post, but it probably won't be done for at least 20 years at a minimum.

Hopefully they'll at least make an effort to acquire and preserve ROW. The easiest approach would be building a Super-2 quality two lane road with enough ROW to add another pair of lanes later. Major intersections would need more ROW for future exit ramps. Obviously community officials along that road would have to prevent people from erecting buildings too close to the highway and connecting at-grade driveways and side streets directly to it. The road would be sort of like the 2-lane AR-530 going South of Pine Bluff.

I saw something interesting in the meeting minutes for the June 17 Commission Meeting. One Page 13 and 14 of the pdf, they had minute orders for designation of Interstate 42 (for portions of the Springdale Bypass, pending FHWA and AASHTO approval) and State Route 642 (the XNA connector). Not sure if the minute orders got approved by the commission.

That's interesting. The designation of I-42 along the Springdale Bypass is expected. I wasn't sure if the XNA Connector would get an Interstate designation since what is being built so far is a pretty brief stretch of freeway. If the connector is eventually extended North to I-49 outside Bentonville an even numbered designation could be in order.

[Razorback19]

Looks like on Sept 4 they are going to go ahead and sign the completed portion of the Northern bypass as Interstate 42....

Join us at 9 a.m. Friday, September 4, for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating completion of two significant transportation projects in Northwest Arkansas – Phase Two of the Springdale Bypass (Interstate 42/Highway 642) and the Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) Connector Road (Highway 642).
See the news release and event map for more information.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D6j1LRi4Z/

[The Ghostbuster]

They're going to sign Interstate 42 in Arkansas already? I would have thought Oklahoma's Cimarron Turnpike would be signed as Interstate 42 first. Of course, the exit numbers on the Springdale Northern Bypass will have to be renumbered when more of future Interstate 42 opens westward towards the Arkansas/Oklahoma border.

[Henry]

They're going to sign Interstate 42 in Arkansas already? I would have thought Oklahoma's Cimarron Turnpike would be signed as Interstate 42 first. Of course, the exit numbers on the Springdale Northern Bypass will have to be renumbered when more of future Interstate 42 opens westward towards the Arkansas/Oklahoma border.

Of course the eastern end will be at I-49, so yeah, it makes sense to sign the highway as I-42.

[Tomahawkin]

That's intriguing: Any word on IH 42 being built from IH 49 to the NEA region (Paragould/Jonesboro) area? It should be built to at least IH 57, but thats probably 10 years off at a minimum

[CoreySamson]

That's intriguing: Any word on IH 42 being built from IH 49 to the NEA region (Paragould/Jonesboro) area? It should be built to at least IH 57, but thats probably 10 years off at a minimum

That's way, way further out than 10 years. Much of US 412 between NWA and NEA is still a 2-lane mountain road, and traffic is in line with that standard. I think the eastern terminus of I-42 will be Springdale for a LONG time.

[Bobby5280]

The Eastern half of the Springdale Bypass would have to be fully completed before anyone could talk seriously about any sort of extension farther East.

[Revive 755]

That's way, way further out than 10 years. Much of US 412 between NWA and NEA is still a 2-lane mountain road, and traffic is in line with that standard. I think the eastern terminus of I-42 will be Springdale for a LONG time.

Technically I think there has been (and may well be) more progress on I-69 in Arkansas then on I-42 east of I-49.  I-69 seems to at least had some of the environmental studies done (although they've probably all expired by now).

[vdeane]

Has there ever been serious discussion of extending I-42 east of I-49 outside of this forum?

[Bobby5280]

Technically I think there has been (and may well be) more progress on I-69 in Arkansas then on I-42 east of I-49.  I-69 seems to at least had some of the environmental studies done (although they've probably all expired by now).

I'm not so sure about that. There is a LOT of I-69 still left to build in Arkansas. That include the Great River Bridge, whose costs keep rising farther upward into the billions of dollars.

Meanwhile the West half of the Springdale Bypass is knocking out a significant chunk of the Arkansas portion of I-42. The connection with I-49 helps get the route legitimately established. Going West of the bypass it should be relatively easy for AR DOT to upgrade the next 10 miles of US-412 up to Interstate standards. That segment of US-412 is divided 4-lane highway with what looks like good enough shoulders and grading good enough for Interstate standards. It's just a matter of building new exits at a few locations, perhaps building a few frontage road segments and simply cutting off direct access to some other minor roads. Basically AR DOT can get its I-42 pushed to the door step of Siloam Springs.

The bypass around Siloam Springs is the only tricky part of the situation. Any potential alignment will impact some residential properties. And they have to coordinate their efforts with Oklahoma. Nevertheless, I think that's an easier situation than what I-69 faces with the Great River Bridge and numerous other potential impacts along the way.

[Strider]

Looks like on Sept 4 they are going to go ahead and sign the completed portion of the Northern bypass as Interstate 42....

Join us at 9 a.m. Friday, September 4, for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating completion of two significant transportation projects in Northwest Arkansas – Phase Two of the Springdale Bypass (Interstate 42/Highway 642) and the Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) Connector Road (Highway 642).
See the news release and event map for more information.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D6j1LRi4Z/

Wow! Arkansas isn't waiting around. How long will I-42 be in Arkansas? It isn't long, right? I guess Oklahoma will need to do their thing soon.

[Scott5114]

How long will I-42 be in Arkansas? It isn't long, right?

The current US-412 between Oklahoma and I-49 is 22 miles.

[Bobby5280]

It will be interesting to see how the Springdale Bypass gets signed when the Eastern half is completed. I assume I-42 will simply end at I-49 and then the Eastern half will get signed as US-412. I would be surprised if they signed I-42 along the entire bypass.

[Road Hog]

As I understand it, part of extending I-42 to Tulsa would require Oklahoma to drop tolls on the Cherokee Turnpike since new interstates can no longer be tolled. But I suppose a waiver can always be granted.

[I-55]

As I understand it, part of extending I-42 to Tulsa would require Oklahoma to drop tolls on the Cherokee Turnpike since new interstates can no longer be tolled. But I suppose a waiver can always be granted.

Oklahoma has recently signed 2 new interstates on toll roads (335, 344) and plans on signing 2 more soon (343, 644) so I don't see the Cherokee or Cimarron becoming free for I-42.

[Bobby5280]

New Interstates can no longer be tolled? Since when?

The OTA may have a green light to sign all of the Cimarron Turnpike as I-42. As far as I can tell they've removed the last bits of narrow grassy median and replaced it with concrete and cable barriers. They've had to do a bit of shoulder work in some spots and replace a couple of bridges. Overall I think that turnpike is ready for the number change.

I wonder if the Cimarron Turnpike Spur is under consideration for an I-x42 designation. The spur has had similar improvements made to it.

I wouldn't expect the Cherokee Turnpike to pick up an I-42 designation anytime soon. It doesn't connect directly with any other existing Interstate highways. US-412 would need to be upgraded to Interstate standards from I-44 in Catoosa over to the West end of the Cherokee Turnpike before the turnpike could be signed as I-42. Or the bypass around Siloam Springs would have to be built and connector made to the East end of the Cherokee Turnpike.

I think I-42 will get signed into Tulsa from the West before the Cherokee Turnpike is able to be signed as I-42. A good bit of work is needed on US-412 from the East end of the Cimarron Turnpike over to Sand Springs. Most of that work is modernizing on/off ramps. Nearly all of that segment of US-412 is existing freeway, except for one at-grade intersection just past the Keystone Dam exit.

[Scott5114]

I wonder if the Cimarron Turnpike Spur is under consideration for an I-x42 designation.

342 lmao

[The Ghostbuster]

Couldn't they just keep the Cimarron Turnpike Spur OK 312? Given the spur is a connector between US 412 (future Interstate 42) and US 177, the spur doesn't need an Interstate designation.