ARDOT wants feedback on north-south connector in Benton, Washington counties

Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is seeking feedback on the western north-south connector that’s proposed to be built west of Arkansas Highway 112, spanning Benton and Washington counties.

ARDOT will host public meetings in Highfill and Hiwasse to receive feedback. The same information will be provided at both meetings.

The first meeting is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 7 at First Baptist Church Highfill in the Fellowship Hall. The church is in Highfill, but the address is 412 N.W. Main St., Siloam Springs.

The second meeting will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Hiwasse First Baptist Church in the Fellowship Hall at 13512 Arkansas Highway 72, Hiwasse.

The goal of the meetings is to seek input on potential routes or alternatives for the proposed connector, gather information on important resources, and determine the appropriate action under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The study area for the connector runs from Interstate 49 and Arkansas Highway 72 to U.S. Highway 412, west of Tontitown. The study area includes Northwest Arkansas National Airport, most of Highfill, western Centerton, eastern Gravette, and western portions of Bentonville, Cave Springs and Tontitown. A segment of the Ozark National Forest is also included in the study area north of Highway 412.

Comments can also be submitted online. Link here to the meeting materials, which will be available online Thursday (April 2).

Comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. April 24.

In January 2019, the Arkansas Highway Commission directed ARDOT staff to complete a feasibility study and needs assessment for a proposed north-south connector in Benton and Washington counties. Previous public meetings for the connector took place in 2020, 2023 and 2025. ARDOT previously estimated the new highway might cost up to $250 million to build.