by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Bipartisan work in the U.S. Congress above divisive politics and a broader appreciation for the national importance of Interstate 49 through western Arkansas are needed to deliver more funding for I-49 and other infrastructure projects in the state.

Such was part of the message from U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, and Arkansas Highway Commissioner Keith Gibson. The two were in Fort Smith Thursday (Oct. 3) for a meeting of transportation committees of the Arkansas House of Representatives and the Arkansas Senate. The committees met jointly at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education Research Institute.

During a morning meeting, the legislators heard from the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) about ongoing efforts to build I-49 in the Fort Smith metro and other parts of western Arkansas.

I-49, infrastructure funding focus of Arkansas legislative committee meeting

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Federal legislation that delivered $83 million for a foreign pilot training center in Fort Smith also brings to Arkansas $67 million to help complete Interstate 49 between Alma and Barling. Every dollar will be needed. The cost for the almost 14-mile segment has ballooned to $1 billion.

State officials in October 2022 ceremonially broke ground on the 13.7-mile segment that will connect a segment of I-49 in Barling north to the I-40 interchange in Alma. That section will include a bridge over the Arkansas River and have interchanges at Highway 22, Gun Club Road, Clear Creek Road and I-40. The bridge across the Arkansas River will be east of Trimble Lock & Dam and the U.S. 59 bridge. There are 180 miles of the I-49 route to build in Arkansas between Alma and Texarkana.

The MilCon-VA bill recently approved by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden included the $67 million for the work between Alma and Barling. The bill, pushed by U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., was primarily focused on providing additional funds and programs for veterans’ health care but included money for other projects.

Cost of I-49 segment between Barling and Alma rises to $1 billion