Build I-49

16/11/2022

a little bit of Louisiana news....

Gov. John Bel Edwards was joined by Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson on Monday along with state and local officials to celebrate the start of the Ambassador

14/10/2022

Today's ribbon cutting/ground breaking for Future I-49 between Alma and Barling, AR
Photos from ARDOT

12/10/2022

Barling to Alma (though no timetable for completion)

The Arkansas Department of Transportation will soon begin construction on a future Interstate 49 between Barling and Alma.

17/08/2022

04/08/2022

Some news from Louisiana

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that as part of its Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program, Louisiana qualifies for $86.6 million in TIFIA funding …

30/07/2022

The tunnel on I-49 near Winslow is named for Mr Hopper

Today brings us some somber news. Springdale icon Mr. Bobby Hopper passed away over night as a young 89 year old! He has has been so many things to so many people and I’m thankful to have visited with him at Harps FoodStores about a month ago one last time.

He was a retired businessman after selling Bobby Hopper Ford. He was named the Springdale Chamber of Commerce Civic Service award winner in 2011 and there’s a park in Springdale that bears his name on land that he donated to the city. He served on the Civil Service Commission and was the sponsor of the Springdale American Legion baseball team.

Mr. Hopper was the longest serving member of the Arkansas Highway Commission. He oversaw the widening of Hwy 412 as well as the construction of I-540 and the tunnel between NWA and I-40 is named in his honor. There is also a bridge near Cotter named in his honor and a Highway near Mountain Home.

Mr. Hopper, may you Rest In Peace and thank you for all you have done for our city.

26/06/2022

(I-49 at West US 62 (formerly 6h St)

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/06/mlk-i-49-project-in-fayetteville-might-exceed-60m/

16/06/2022

5 News retrospect on the building of I-49 (formerly I-540)
https://youtu.be/hTJFlHlo5Os

11/06/2022

The Arkansas Department of Transportation has some new plans to show the public for a long-awaited interchange project in southwest Fayetteville.

27/04/2022

From AHTD::

Benton County
Hwy. 549 090580 Arkansas Welcome Center (I-49) (S) Facility --
Estimated Letting Date: September 21, 2022

19/03/2022

We missed this, somehow.

For now it’s a no-go on an Interstate 49 interchange at U.S. 64 in Alma as part of the interstate’s almost 14-mile extension south toward Barling. While area residents are...

17/02/2022

The public is invited to listen, view meeting materials, and provide written comments.

09/01/2022

08/01/2022

The Arkansas Department of Transportation Director Lorie Tudor announced January 7 that construction of the I-49 section from Chaffee Crossing in Barling to the I-40 intersection at Alma will begin…

29/11/2021

Work tentatively scheduled to begin as early as 2023.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation is working to extend Interstate 49 in Arkansas with another 13 miles across the River Valley.

25/11/2021

Sounds like they finished too quickly if they're having to make repairs already.

Construction on the new Interstate 49 interchange at Bella Vista bypass with Highway 71 in Bentonville will see various lane closures from Nov. 29-Dec. 10, according to a press release.

06/11/2021

According to ARDOT officials, construction to build the I-49 and Highway 71 interchange are going to require lane closures.

30/10/2021

James Coffman reports the ramp to US 71 from I-49 is OPEN.

26/10/2021

Word from ARDOT is the ramp from SB I-49 to US 71 will reopen Friday.

Thanks to James Coffman for the tip! :)

07/10/2021

OOPS!

Community members say the bypass has brought on traffic because GPS systems haven’t adjusted to the changes so traffic is getting rerouted to the area. https...

06/10/2021

Map aficionados: it appears Google has finally updated I-49 on their maps.

05/10/2021

Courtesy Jason Murphy. Driving northbound on I-49

October 1, 2021 marked the day the "Bella Vista Bypass" portion of US Interstate 49 opened. This new route replaced 15 miles of heavily traveled US Highway ...

01/10/2021

TRAFFIC ALERT: I-49 Missouri/Arkansas Connector in McDonald County OPEN to Traffic Sept. 30

Where: I-49 Missouri/Arkansas Connector in McDonald County between Pineville and Missouri/Arkansas state line

When: as of 9:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 30

What: Final five (5) miles of I-49 in McDonald County between Pineville and Missouri/Arkansas state line is OPEN to traffic. With completion of the project, drivers can now travel the 290 miles between Kansas City and Fort Smith, Arkansas on a new four-lane divided interstate highway.

Project Information: A project to build the final five (5) miles of I-49 in Missouri began in April 2020 after the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved the project.

The transformation of U.S. Route 71 to I-49 in Missouri has taken decades to accomplish. Planning for the final series of projects was begun in the late 1980s, with construction beginning in the early 1990s and continuing through 2012 when construction ended near Pineville.

Work on the final leg of I-49 began when MoDOT’s regional partner, Northwest Arkansas Planning Commission (NWARPC), received a $25 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) federal grant. Those funds were added to approximately $45 million from MoDOT to complete the project.

A celebration to mark the completion of the I-49 Missouri-Arkansas Connector was held Thursday, September 30 hosted by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchens on the Missouri/Arkansas state line near Jane.

30/09/2021

Southbound 49 at the Arkansas State Line

30/09/2021

Presenting Colors.

30/09/2021

I have forgotten this gentleman's name, but he's been at several I-49 dedications, complete with his I-49 tie. :)

30/09/2021

Souvenir paperweight from I-49 Dedication.

30/09/2021

If you have any photos of today's ceremony, feel free to post them here.

30/09/2021

Word from MoDOT is I-49 should be open to traffic by 9am Friday.