Page 11 - 2024 Community Profile

COMMUNITY

Highway Projects Moving Forward

I-49 Barling to Alma Extension will surely result in additional commercial of the current two-lane off-ramp;
The October 2022 groundbreaking for and industrial interest in Crawford County.” • Eliminating the left turn for southbound
the I-49 extension from Highway 22 in Barling Highway 59 – I-40 Interchange Highway 59 traffic to access eastbound
to I-40 in Alma brought a lot of attention A project that has long been under I-40, instead turning right onto what is
to other infrastructure improvements that consideration will begin construction in now the south access road and circling
will be needed to handle increased freight mid-2024, modifying the State Highway onto an eastbound onramp; and
loads coming to and from the region. 59/Interstate 40 interchange in order • Rerouting the eastbound I-40 off-
“We are still working through the to ease congestion and reduce traffic ramp to the access road and widening
design process for the segment,” said accidents at the site. it to two eastbound lanes at Highway
Jason Hughey, Region 4 Engineer for the “During rush times, at the beginning 59, so traffic turning north at the signal
Arkansas Department of Transportation and end of the school day, at lunch time, light doesn’t block those who want to
(ARDOT). “There are a lot of considerations and the end of the business day, that turn south.
and interested parties because of the river interchange experiences traffic that backs Businesses located along the current
bridge, the lock and dam nearby, and up the westbound off-ramp off I-40 and access road will be accessible off the new
the interchange with I-40 on the north north and south on Highway 59,” Hughey off-ramp/access road, or, in the case of
end. We are dealing with the Army Corps described. “The changes we’re planning Colton’s Steak House, will retain their
of Engineers, the Coast Guard, and the will reduce the backups by moving traffic access off the current access road.
communities that are along the route.” in a more efficient manner through that The bid opening date for this project
Hughey said the first contract – for the area.” will be May 24, 2024, and Hughey
segment running from Highway 22 to Gun ARDOT identified three major estimates completion by late 2025 or
Club Road in Crawford County, including the components to the congestion: early 2026. “We’re working with seven
river bridge – will be let in late 2024 or early • The volume of traffic coming off utilities that need to be relocated to allow
2025. “So far, we haven’t encountered any westbound I-40 to the stoplight at for the construction before we can start,
unusual hurdles we’ve had to overcome, but Highway 59; but we started with eight, and one has
in a project this size it is always a challenge,” • The access to eastbound I-40 from already completed their work,” Hughey
he added. “At this point we are anticipating southbound Highway 59; and added.
sometime in the fourth quarter of 2024.” • Traffic coming off the eastbound I-40 A significant factor in the job getting
Van Buren Chamber President and CEO, ramp and turning north onto Highway 59. underway was the city of Van Buren
Julie Murray, said after the groundbreaking stepping up as a funding partner for the
that the project would have a beneficial To address the three issues, ARDOT’s project, covering 20% of the cost, up to
and lasting impact on the Van Buren plan (see graphic) includes: $3 million. “With all of the projects we are
and Crawford County economies. “Our • Widening the westbound off-ramp to dealing with across the state, it helps us
designated Opportunity Zone will have four lanes, two turning south and two prioritize this over others when the city is
adjacent access to an Interstate highway turning north. The four lanes would willing and able to invest in it,” Hughey
(via the Gun Club Road interchange), which accommodate twice the traffic volume concluded.

vanburenchamber.org Van Buren Chamber 2024 Directory 11