Highway 43

[NE2]

October 1971:

71-544 WHEREAS, the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce and other interested parties have expressed a desire to provide a continuous route number from Siloam Springs to near Joplin, Missouri for the purpose of providing a more distinguishable north-south route to serve the area; and
WHEREAS, said request can be satisfactorily incorporated into the existing route numbering system and highway inventory by taking the following action:
1. By changing Arkansas Highway 99-Section 1 to Arkansas Highway 43-Section 4; and,
2. Obtaining approval from the Oklahoma Highway Department to dual-mark a section of Oklahoma Highway 20 that follows the Arkansas-Oklahoma line as Arkansas Highway 43; and,
3. Obtaining approval from the Missouri Highway Department to dual-mark that portion of Missouri Highway 90 from the State line north to the junction of Missouri Highway 43 as Missouri Highway 43. [note: this was actually renumbered]
NOW THEREFORE, realizing that the numbering of the highway between Siloam Springs, Arkansas and Joplin, Missouri as Number 43 will be of benefit to the motorists and the citizens of the area, the Director is authorized to take whatever action is necessary to implement this numbering change.

This is why we have nice things:

[M86]

Good ol' 43...

Just like Highway 200 up north in MT/ND/MN

[US71]

Good ol' 43...

Just like Highway 200 up north in MT/ND/MN

Of course, 43 has been rerouted in Siloam Springs since then.

[NE2]

Well, it still connects Siloam Springs to Joplin... (as does 59-71)

[US71]

Well, it still connects Siloam Springs to Joplin... (as does 59-71)

Sort of. It was rerouted around downtown via 204 several years ago (2001, I think)

[NE2]

I know. The turn onto former 204 is in Siloam Springs, and if you're in downtown Siloam Springs you can take old 43.

[US71]

I know. The turn onto former 204 is in Siloam Springs, and if you're in downtown Siloam Springs you can take old 43.

If you're not a semi truck

[NE2]

I know. The turn onto former 204 is in Siloam Springs, and if you're in downtown Siloam Springs you can take old 43.

If you're not a semi truck

If I were a sentient semi truck, and I was already in downtown Siloam Springs, how would I get to Highway 43 if not by leaving downtown to the north?

[US71]

I know. The turn onto former 204 is in Siloam Springs, and if you're in downtown Siloam Springs you can take old 43.

If you're not a semi truck

If I were a sentient semi truck, and I was already in downtown Siloam Springs, how would I get to Highway 43 if not by leaving downtown to the north?

You'd be in deep kimchi if you were downtown  .  Whitlock (old 204) to 412, east to the bypass is closed to trucks, except for 264.

[NE2]

And what does any of this have to do with Highway 43 connecting Siloam Springs and Joplin?

[US71]

And what does any of this have to do with Highway 43 connecting Siloam Springs and Joplin?

Well, you see, I took a creative detour and you followed me. If you hadn't followed me, you wouldn't be lost    

[NE2]

Creative my arse.

[US71]

Creative my arse.

No thank you, I don't want your arse.