‘Big milestone’ announced for Bella Vista Bypass, I-49

Limited funding is flowing and construction will soon begin on the Arkansas portion of the Bella Vista Bypass — a key section of Interstate 49 of which the completion could help fund and construction the entire I-49 route.

During the 20th annual meeting of the Northwest Arkansas Council, Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department Dan Flowers and Federal Highway Administration official Sandra Otto signed an agreement that pushed $10 million in federal funds toward the bypass. Also, Flowers said the state would spend another $43 million to ensure construction could begin.

“To me, it’s a big milestone and a big commitment,” Mike Malone, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas Council, told The City Wire. “The significance is that this represents the first construction dollars. And now the (construction) schedules will be pushed out” and work will finally begin.

Arkansas has already spent about $20 million on engineering, utility relocation and other preparatory work on the bypass. It is estimated Arkansas’ share of the project could be as much as $250 million.

The Bella Vista Bypass will connect Arkansas and Missouri with an interstate highway that will eventually be part of I-49. The proposed bypass is about 20 miles, extending from U.S. 71 just south of Bella Vista to U.S. 71 near Pineville, Mo. Arkansas’ portion is approximately 15 miles in length, while the Missouri section will be about 5 miles.

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.

In 2009, AHTD officials submitted a $145 million application to the TIGER — Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery — grant program managed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. AHTD Spokesman Randy Ort said at the time that the $145 million would cover the cost of the project not funded by bonds and other limited federal proceeds.

On Feb. 17, the DOT said the bypass would get $10 million — $5 million to the Arkansas portion and $5 million to the Missouri side.

Highway officials in Missouri recently said they were moving some of the money for the bypass to other projects. There has been speculation that Arkansas’ inability to fund the project could result in Missouri officials losing interest in the bypass.

However, Malone said based on communications from Missouri officials that the state is committed to “keep pace” with what Arkansas is able to do on the project.

“I don’t think they will do that (abandon the bypass),” Malone said.

Malone also praised the work of Arkansas Highway Commissioner Dick Trammel in keeping the project moving.

“You know, this easily could have gone the other way. … He (Trammel) kept pushing it,” Malone explained.

Former Arkansas Governor and U.S. President Bill Clinton was the keynote speaker at the 20th annual Council meeting held at the Springdale Holiday Inn Convention Center.