Interstate 540

Interstate 540

Interstate 540 represents a 14.1 mile spur linking I-40 with Van Buren and Fort Smith. Originally signed as an east-west route, the 1960s-built freeway spur ended at AR 22 (Rogers Avenue) east of Downtown Fort Smith, but saw further extension southwest toward U.S. 271 and the Oklahoma border as AR 540. The final 2.6 mile stretch of State Highway 540 between U.S. 71 and the Oklahoma state line opened to traffic October 19, 1978 at a cost of $9.6 million.1 However, by 1980 this designation was replaced by Interstate 540 along the entire stretch. I-540 provides a connection between Van Buren and Fort Smith via a four-lane span across the Arkansas River. At a cost of $4.36 million, the high-level bridge was constructed in under two years (early 1965 to late 1966) with a dedication and opening held December 29, 1966.2

From January 8, 1999 to April 21, 2014, Interstate 540 also extended north from I-40 near Alma to the greater Fayetteville-Springdale-Bentonville metro area, creating an 80.72 mile spur. With the inclusion of Interstate 49 from Alma to Bentonville, the I-540 designation was truncated to its original Fort Smith spur.

All signage along I-540 in Van Buren and Fort Smith was replaced by late Spring 2014. This included all ground-based guide signs, overheads and shield assemblies.

References:

  1. Arkansas Highways, Winter 1978, Volume 25, No. 1, Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT).
  2. Arkansas Highways, January 1967, Volume 15, No. 1, Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT).

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Page Updated Monday June 30, 2014.