I-540 Becomes I-49

With the signatures of three highway commissioners, I-540 became I-49 today.

The announcement of the new designation was made Wednesday (April 16) at the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department by Director Scott Bennett. Bennett unveiled one of the I-49 signs that he said will be installed beginning next week. Within about 30 days, all of the I-540 signs will be replaced.

“People will know where I-49 is. It really is a mid-America corridor,” Bennett said in making the announcement.

I-49 is part of a north-south interstate system that, along with I-29, would connect New Orleans and Winnipeg, Canada. About 80 percent of the 1,700-mile route is complete. The longest uncompleted section is a 145-mile stretch between Fort Smith and Texarkana.

Bennett said in an interview that the practical effect of the designation is “a realistic connection with Missouri and Louisiana” – two states where the designation now exists. He said the designation adds momentum to closing the gap down the western edge of Arkansas. Building that stretch of roadway would cost $3 billion.

The designation adds 5.5 miles to Arkansas’ interstate system because part of U.S. Highway 71 will now be I-49. That makes the roadway eligible for more funds and allows the state to use interstate maintenance money for roadwork.

The designation required approval by the Federal Highway Administration and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

The announcement was made at a luncheon marking the awarding of the contract for the Bella Vista Bypass. The bypass is the first of 31 projects in the Connecting Arkansas Program, the construction program approved by voters in 2012 that will be funded by a half-cent sales tax. That $52.7 million contract was awarded to Kolb Grading for a section from Highway 71 near Bentonville to Highway 72 near Hiwasse and will be complete by the spring of 2016.

The Bella Visa Bypass will be signed Highway 549 but will also have signs designating it as a future part of I-49.