Benton County Projects

The next two major projects, in cost, for Northwest Arkansas concern widening two major highways in Benton County: the $4.9 million widening of a 2.2-mile segment of U.S. Highway 71B (Walnut Street) from Dixieland Road to U.S. Highway 71 in Rogers, and the $3.7 million widening of a 1.6-mile segment of Arkansas Highway 102 in Bentonville.

For Rogers motorists heading west on U.S. 71B, the street bottlenecks from five lanes to four at Dixieland Road, then from four lanes to three at the intersection of 21st Street. The 21st Street intersection is in between a Wal-Mart Supercenter and a Kmart Store where traffic is heavy and motorists frequently clog the center lane trying to turn left.

The result is a busy highway where many accidents occur (particularly rear end collisions) and traffic moves slowly. Many motorists avoid the area entirely by taking 102, New Hope Road or other east-west arteries instead.

The Rogers project is expected to be completed by the summer of 1999. The highway will remain open while construction is underway. The Bentonville project should be completed by early 1999.