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[mvak36]

Right. The point is to be able to get some combines and other heavy farm equipment from one interchange to another across a bridge a few times a year without a lengthy detour. We're not talking about running tractors across the road on a daily basis or entering/exiting between interchanges. Here's the area we're talking about.

A frontage road and separate bridge for it is simply not worth the investment.

Make 'em run in escorted convoys like oversized loads. Safety problem solved.

I agree with both your posts above.

[Wayward Memphian]

Right. The point is to be able to get some combines and other heavy farm equipment from one interchange to another across a bridge a few times a year without a lengthy detour. We're not talking about running tractors across the road on a daily basis or entering/exiting between interchanges. Here's the area we're talking about.

A frontage road and separate bridge for it is simply not worth the investment.

Make 'em run in escorted convoys like oversized loads. Safety problem solved.

I agree with both your posts above.

They don't address access to the WMA

Look it up on Google Earth, it's immediately due west of Marked Tree, AR. You'll see the accesses that run down the raised roadway.

[lordsutch]

Right. The point is to be able to get some combines and other heavy farm equipment from one interchange to another across a bridge a few times a year without a lengthy detour. We're not talking about running tractors across the road on a daily basis or entering/exiting between interchanges. Here's the area we're talking about.

A frontage road and separate bridge for it is simply not worth the investment.

Make 'em run in escorted convoys like oversized loads. Safety problem solved.

I agree with both your posts above.

They don't address access to the WMA

Look it up on Google Earth, it's immediately due west of Marked Tree, AR. You'll see the accesses that run down the raised roadway.

There are existing roadways that access the floodplain without crossing the main channel; you can see one that crosses the levee from Marked Tree to the north.

If the authorities want the public to have more access to the WMA south of I-555 for hunting and fishing, they can build a cheap access road or two that doesn't need to be built for heavy loads or above the floodplain.

[US71]

Right. The point is to be able to get some combines and other heavy farm equipment from one interchange to another across a bridge a few times a year without a lengthy detour. We're not talking about running tractors across the road on a daily basis or entering/exiting between interchanges. Here's the area we're talking about.

A frontage road and separate bridge for it is simply not worth the investment.

Make 'em run in escorted convoys like oversized loads. Safety problem solved.

I agree with both your posts above.

They don't address access to the WMA

Look it up on Google Earth, it's immediately due west of Marked Tree, AR. You'll see the accesses that run down the raised roadway.

There are existing roadways that access the floodplain without crossing the main channel; you can see one that crosses the levee from Marked Tree to the north.

If the authorities want the public to have more access to the WMA south of I-555 for hunting and fishing, they can build a cheap access road or two that doesn't need to be built for heavy loads or above the floodplain.

They could make another "Marine Highway" like the ones around Lake Ouachita.

[Wayward Memphian]

Right. The point is to be able to get some combines and other heavy farm equipment from one interchange to another across a bridge a few times a year without a lengthy detour. We're not talking about running tractors across the road on a daily basis or entering/exiting between interchanges. Here's the area we're talking about.

A frontage road and separate bridge for it is simply not worth the investment.

Make 'em run in escorted convoys like oversized loads. Safety problem solved.

I agree with both your posts above.

They don't address access to the WMA

Look it up on Google Earth, it's immediately due west of Marked Tree, AR. You'll see the accesses that run down the raised roadway.

There are existing roadways that access the floodplain without crossing the main channel; you can see one that crosses the levee from Marked Tree to the north.

If the authorities want the public to have more access to the WMA south of I-555 for hunting and fishing, they can build a cheap access road or two that doesn't need to be built for heavy loads or above the floodplain.

They could make another "Marine Highway" like the ones around Lake Ouachita.

That's where the old dump used to be, I'm  aware of every road there, been on them numerous times, I used that road to go to our former land and duck blinds before everything south of the railroad turned into a waterfowl rest area., it'll take many bridges to access what's becomes islands of land depending on water conditions, sometime it all goes under. I really can't explain all nuances of that area to those that aren't familiar with it from an "on the ground" perspective.

There's no reason this should be an issue considering the exceptions made elsewhere and lime I said  it's not like the instate quality roadway is going to be extended past Jonesboro to connect to US 67. Nope, those are going to be lesser roads.

[US71]

Arkansas Highway Commission appears to have finally approved designating 555.

Further information:

It appears 555 will have an exemption for farm vehicles rather than a frontage road .

[The Ghostbuster]

Took them long enough. 15 years!

[US71]

Took them long enough. 15 years!

It was never as big a priority as I-49

[mvak36]

Just need President Obama to sign the bill tomorrow and it'll be done

I wonder when they would start signing it.

[US71]

Just need President Obama to sign the bill tomorrow and it'll be done

I wonder when they would start signing it.

Poking around the net, it's looks like signs could do up as soon as the law is signed and the highway commission officially approves the designation.  Official dedication will likely be sometime in February at Jonesboro.

[mvak36]

Poking around the net, it's looks like signs could do up as soon as the law is signed and the highway commission officially approves the designation.  Official dedication will likely be sometime in February at Jonesboro.

I was looking around the web earlier this morning and found this article (the same thing as you were saying).

http://kasu.org/post/representative-crawford-comments-highway-bill-i-555

[AHTD]

Signs won't be appearing for several weeks.

We only ordered the screens to print them this week. Once they're in, we can start printing these in our sign shop.

At this time we estimate ~200 signs will be necessary, considering route confirmation markers, overhead signs on I-55 and all of the intersection signs on cross streets/highways.

Weather permitting this will take up to four weeks to complete the process, so we may be finished right before the ceremony in February.

One thing everyone keeps missing - the designation still requires FHWA approval.

[Grzrd]

assuming FHWA provides a further administrative exemption from the fully controlled access requirement for interstates applicable to the Sunken Lands section

One thing everyone keeps missing - the designation still requires FHWA approval.

AHTD, has the Department asked FHWA for an exception from fully controlled access requirements along the Sunken Lands and adjacent properties?

[US71]

Signs won't be appearing for several weeks.

We only ordered the screens to print them this week. Once they're in, we can start printing these in our sign shop.

At this time we estimate ~200 signs will be necessary, considering route confirmation markers, overhead signs on I-55 and all of the intersection signs on cross streets/highways.

Weather permitting this will take up to four weeks to complete the process, so we may be finished right before the ceremony in February.

One thing everyone keeps missing - the designation still requires FHWA approval.

Will US 63 be co-signed or will it disappear like 71 north of Fayetteville?

[NE2]

AHTD, has the Department asked FHWA for an exception from fully controlled access requirements along the Sunken Lands and adjacent properties?

Why would they do that? The road is fully controlled access, i.e. the only access is at interchanges.

[Grzrd]

AHTD, has the Department asked FHWA for an exception from fully controlled access requirements along the Sunken Lands and adjacent properties?

Why would they do that? The road is fully controlled access, i.e. the only access is at interchanges.

It was not fully controlled access when the EA was released (circa February 2012):

Language from the EA demostrates that, although the Sunken Lands section is interstate-grade, it is not fully controlled access (page 11/293 of pdf; page 5 of document):
http://www.arkansashighways.com/public_meetings/2012/100682/US%2063%20EA%20-%20Final%20signed%20with%20Appendices%20(022112)_reduced.pdf

Future Highway Conditions
....
To date, all upgrades to interstate standards have been completed on Highway 63 from Jonesboro to I-55. In order to be added to the Interstate System, Future I-555  must have access control implemented across the Sunken Lands. When access control is implemented the current access to the Sunken Lands and adjacent private lands from Highway 63 will be removed.

If it has been converted to fully controlled access since that time, then I missed the announcement.  Also, I thought a possibility exists that at least some of the farm machinery accesses US 63 in the non-controlled area (particularly from the adjacent properties), which would mean that an exception from a fully controlled access requirement might be warranted. Ergo, my question to AHTD.

[NE2]

Weird. I wasn't aware that there was any private access there.

[Alex]

Bad use of Clearview with the negative contrast, but the signs for the exemption along I-555 were installed today

@RepRickCrawford signs installed today by @AHTD near Payneway and Marked Tree. #I555 pic.twitter.com/xXqAMzgQeX

— KASU 91.9 FM (@KASUradio) January 28, 2016

[US71]

Bad use of Clearview with the negative contrast, but the signs for the exemption along I-555 were installed today

@RepRickCrawford signs installed today by @AHTD near Payneway and Marked Tree. #I555 pic.twitter.com/xXqAMzgQeX

— KASU 91.9 FM (@KASUradio) January 28, 2016

Next week I'll have to check AHTD's progress

[US71]

I-555 dedication Friday 11-1 in Jonesboro.

Doesn't look like I'll make it: too short notice and weather is looking bad (flooding).

[Alex]

I-555 dedication Friday 11-1 in Jonesboro.

Doesn't look like I'll make it: too short notice and weather is looking bad (flooding).

Shared the news story on the AARoads FB page and updated the Interstate Guide page for I-555, thanks David!

[The Ghostbuster]

Why will the 555 designation stop at Exit 45? Is it not Interstate Standard between there and Exit 49?

[US71]

Why will the 555 designation stop at Exit 45? Is it not Interstate Standard between there and Exit 49?

Maybe they want to end it at a US Route?

I'm going to try to get up there next week to get photos.

[SteveG1988]

Why will the 555 designation stop at Exit 45? Is it not Interstate Standard between there and Exit 49?

Maybe they want to end it at a US Route?

I'm going to try to get up there next week to get photos.

Have it end in town, that way people know not to continue on?

[US71]

Why will the 555 designation stop at Exit 45? Is it not Interstate Standard between there and Exit 49?

Maybe they want to end it at a US Route?

I'm going to try to get up there next week to get photos.

Have it end in town, that way people know not to continue on?

Yet, I-530 ends, but continues as US 65 and I-540 ends but continues as US 271.