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

[AHTD]

Define brand new.

[bugo]

Nice way to avoid the question. 

"Contemporary".  Is that better?  Why are the I-49 signs that were produced in the same era far uglier than the I-530 signs?  Why has Arkansas gone from producing attractive shields to some of the ugliest in the nation?  Why are the numbers almost bigger than the shield?

[Grzrd]

Why do the brand new I-530 shields at the end of AR 530 in Pine Bluff have the state name but the I-49 shields don't?

Define brand new.

FWIW that section of AR 530 was opened to traffic on September 12, 2013:

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3524.msg245569#msg245569

edit

Here is StreetView imagery of two of the shields:

[agentsteel53]

I bet the 530s were extant stock that were installed.

still doesn't explain why Arkansas abandoned the classic '57 spec shield in favor of the garish '70 spec with overlarge numbers.  I think this means California is the only state left that still uses '57 spec fairly consistently.  well, shit.

[Molandfreak]

I bet the 530s were extant stock that were installed.

still doesn't explain why Arkansas abandoned the classic '57 spec shield in favor of the garish '70 spec with overlarge numbers.  I think this means California is the only state left that still uses '57 spec fairly consistently.  well, shit.

Wyoming?

[US71]

I bet the 530s were extant stock that were installed.

still doesn't explain why Arkansas abandoned the classic '57 spec shield in favor of the garish '70 spec with overlarge numbers.  I think this means California is the only state left that still uses '57 spec fairly consistently.  well, shit.

Wyoming?

Most of the time.

[agentsteel53]

Wyoming?

Most of the time.

good point.  often enough to count; that's for sure.

Mississippi puts one up on occasion these days.

[Molandfreak]

I think Iowa has a good amount, too

[agentsteel53]

I think Iowa has a good amount, too

yep.  I feel like someone told me that Iowa has gone to neutered '70 spec, but I may be conflating that with Arkansas.  I know Iowa's US route shields are more recently '70 spec instead of '61, as of the last 5 years or so.

New Mexico uses '57 spec a lot as well, but that's because New Mexico, and not indicative of any set policy.

[dariusb]

I-69 Advisory Committee Report and Recommendations ... (page 16/30 of pdf; page 10 of report)

The Texarkana MPO has posted its Draft Texarkana Urban Transportation Study ("TUTS") 2015-2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan ("MTP") ....
After a quick scan of the document, I could not find a direct reference to either the West Loop or the Northern Loop.

I recently stumbled across a February 2014 Power Point presentation that includes a slide envisioning "I-69 TXK Western Loop" going to the TexAmericas Center and north of I-30 (continuing as the Northern Loop?):



It looks like the more recent slide envisions a routing slightly to the east of the routing in the previous slide.  It's also interesting that the more recent slide suggests a Northern Loop connection to I-49, which makes sense considering the Intermodal Center part of the slide includes I-30, I-49 and I-69 shields.

When all of these roads/intermodal facility are built there's no telling what future Texarkana/Hooks area will look like.

[Grzrd]

I knew that I-49's wide median would allow for a 75 MPH speed limit to be posted, but I never thought that it could go without the cable barrier.
Are there any plans to talk with Arkansas about making I-49 from the state line to Texarkana as a 75 MPH speed limit?

(above quote from I49 in LA thread)

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:

County Miller
Route I-49
Job No. 030435
Job Name La. St. Line-Texarkana (Cable Median Barrier)
Type Work (S) Safety
Length 28.9
Cost Range $5 - $10 Million

[AHTD]

Arkansas does not have any 75 mph sections.

This section between the Louisiana state line and Texarkana will be classified as a rural Interstate and as such the speed limit will be 70 mph and for trucks it will be 65 mph.

Look for the last section of this route to be complete toward the early days in November!

[agentsteel53]

Arkansas does not have any 75 mph sections.

given speed limit increases in Louisiana and Texas recently, I would imagine Arkansas state legislature is looking at the possibility.  any bills in the works?

[AHTD]

Arkansas does not have any 75 mph sections.

given speed limit increases in Louisiana and Texas recently, I would imagine Arkansas state legislature is looking at the possibility.  any bills in the works?

Nope.

That authority rests solely with the Arkansas Highway Commission. Nothing in the works.

[agentsteel53]

Nope.

That authority rests solely with the Arkansas Highway Commission. Nothing in the works.

well I've got an idea for your bosses...

[mcdonaat]

Arkansas does not have any 75 mph sections.

This section between the Louisiana state line and Texarkana will be classified as a rural Interstate and as such the speed limit will be 70 mph and for trucks it will be 65 mph.

Look for the last section of this route to be complete toward the early days in November!

Well, to be honest, it seems like Arkansas will create a speed trap. Slowing down from 75 to 70, with cable barriers in place, seems like a ridiculous thing to do. I'd love to see Texas make I-49 75 or 80 for the small stretch where it crosses state lines.

[US71]

Well, to be honest, it seems like Arkansas will create a speed trap. Slowing down from 75 to 70, with cable barriers in place, seems like a ridiculous thing to do. I'd love to see Texas make I-49 75 or 80 for the small stretch where it crosses state lines.

I'm sure there will be Reduced Speed Ahead signs (if any drivers are paying attention)

[codyg1985]

Before Alabama raised its portion of US 78/Future I-22 to 70 mph from 65 mph, MDOT posted REDUCED SPEED AHEAD signs going eastbound before crossing into Alabama. The speed limit on Mississippi's portion of US 78 has been 70 mph for a while now.

[RBBrittain]

AHTD, is there any more word on the opening of I-49 to Louisiana?  IDriveArkansas only has "Late 2014", and the main site is down right now.  Does "November" mean just before the election (so President Obama, Secretary Foxx, etc. can stump for both Mark Pryor & Mary Landrieu), or just after it (so both Pryor & Tom Cotton can take credit while keeping a straight face, while the President, Secretary, etc. stumps for Landrieu in her likely runoff)?

[US71]

AHTD, is there any more word on the opening of I-49 to Louisiana?  IDriveArkansas only has "Late 2014", and the main site is down right now.  Does "November" mean just before the election (so President Obama, Secretary Foxx, etc. can stump for both Mark Pryor & Mary Landrieu), or just after it (so both Pryor & Tom Cotton can take credit while keeping a straight face, while the President, Secretary, etc. stumps for Landrieu in her likely runoff)?

I have my doubts the President will be there...it's possible, but I have my doubts. Mike Beebe and "Bobby" Jindal, maybe. AHTD and LADOTD directors and commission members, very likely (especially Dick Trammel who thinks he's in charge of everything).

The last word on the opening I heard was end of October/beginning of November.  A lot of people have been asking on Facebook as well, but things have been rather quiet.

[dariusb]

This will make travel between Shreveport and Texarkana so much easier.

[JON30]

I emailed a district engineer with the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department last week.  He informed me that the section from Doddridge to the Louisiana state line is currently scheduled to be complete by November 10th.

[dariusb]

Ok great.

[US71]

I emailed a district engineer with the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department last week.  He informed me that the section from Doddridge to the Louisiana state line is currently scheduled to be complete by November 10th.

If it's anywhere close to that time, I'm hoping to be there. Hopefully all the "No-Tels" in Texarkana won't be sold out

[Grzrd]

I emailed a district engineer with the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department last week.  He informed me that the section from Doddridge to the Louisiana state line is currently scheduled to be complete by November 10th.

On the LaDOTD side, I just received an email indicating that the opening will be on November 10:

We plan to open the northernmost portions of I-49 on November 10th.

AHTD, has a time been set for the ribbon cutting?