Boozman testifies that I-49 good for national economy

The argument to fund and construct Interstate 49 through western Arkansas was made Wednesday (May 20) before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development.

U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, told members of the committee that completion of I-49 from Kansas City, Mo., to New Orleans is more about boosting the economy of the nation rather than just helping one region of the country.

“I am here today to not only educate the committee about the status of I-49, but also to encourage you to give great consideration to the north-south corridors while appropriating money to transportation projects,” Boozman noted in his prepared testimony. “These corridors are about more than politics, and more than the usual regional rivalries. The corridors will provide an economic stimulus for the entire country.”

The I-49 route stretches from Texarkana, up through Dequeen, Mena and Waldron, into Fort Smith and on through Northwest Arkansas. All that stands in the way of this interstate reality is several small segments at the Arkansas-Louisiana and Arkansas Missouri borders and a large 185-mile segment between Texarkana and Fort Smith that posts a price tag of around $3 billion.

Of the $352 million Arkansas recently received as part of the federal stimulus package, $71.6 million was dedicated to portions of I-49. Arkansas’ five highway commissioners also signed a Minute Order agreeing to join with Missouri highway officials in an application for $250 million from a $1.5 billion discretionary fund of the Secretary of Transportation. Officials from the two states have agreed to use the money to complete the Bella Vista bypass, an important link along on the proposed I-49 route connecting Arkansas and Missouri.

Boozman’s prepared testimony for the Wednesday committee meeting also noted: “Our Nation is connected from east to west and now we must connect it from north to south. I believe that the map is truly our best argument. I-49 will not only connect Northern and Southern Arkansas, but more importantly it will be part of a larger vein running through the middle of the entire country.”

Previous stories from The City Wire about I-49 include:
• Sen. Lincoln re-election could be part of I-49 funding

• Boozman pushes for I-49 funding

• I-49 work gets $71.6 million in federal stimulus funding

• What happened to the I-49 push?