Local, state and federal officials sound off on I-49

The next opportunity to seek funding for Interstate 49 could happen this fall or be pushed back 18 months, according to those watching legislative activity related to the next federal highway bill.

Efforts to fund and build a two-lane, interstate quality highway through western Arkansas date back more than five decades. 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.

With the exception of what former U.S. Rep. John Paul Hammerschmidt, R-Ark., was able to obtain in the early 1990s for the I-540 stretch from Alma to Fayetteville, I-49 funding has been just enough to conduct studies or build a few miles of interstate. If the project were to receive $100 million a year, it would take more than 30 years — more if factoring in the rising cost of construction — to complete I-49 through western Arkansas.

Of the $352 million Arkansas recently received as part of the federal stimulus package, $71.6 million was dedicated to portions of I-49.

Also, Arkansas and Missouri highway officials will meet Aug. 20 to gather political momentum to obtain funding for the proposed Bella Vista Bypass — a key component in the effort to build Interstate 49 through Arkansas. The officials hope to seek between $250 million and $350 million for the project from a $1.5 billion discretionary grant fund provided to the U.S. Department of Transportation by the recent federal stimulus bill.

There is an ongoing debate in Congress as to if the highway bill is pushed through this fall, or extending the existing highway bill out 18 months to give Congress time to address health care reform, cap and trade and other major legislation.

The City Wire recently asked the following officials and offices about the federal highway bill and efforts to seek more funding for I-49: U.S. Sens. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and Mark Pryor, D-Ark.; U.S. Reps. John Boozman, R-Rogers, and Mike Ross, D-Prescott; Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe; the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department; the city of Fort Smith and its lobbying firm; Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman; and the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Freeman suggested Fort Smith/Van Buren area leaders may want to better coordinate their efforts if they want to improve chances for obtaining significant I-49 funding.

“First, let’s sit at the table and review the project. Where it has been, where it is and what we need to do?” Freeman noted in an e-mail interview. “Some sort of ongoing discussion would be very productive for all involved. Is there an existing strategy? The fact is, I do not even know at this point who has the lead.”

AHTD spokesman Glenn Bolick said the debate on the highway bill will begin in the September-October period. Bolick said the department seeks I-49 funds through annual earmarks in appropriations bills, the multi-year transportation authorization bills and through one-time funding windows like that presented for the Bella Vista Bypass.

The following summary of responses provides information about the process and what is (or is not) happening to seek adequate funding for I-49.

U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln
• “Last week, Congress passed legislation that would ensure that the Highway Trust Fund can continue making payments to states through the end of September 2009, which marks the end of the federal government’s fiscal year. We expect Congress to approve an additional extension of the program in September as the Senate begins more in-depth consideration of a long-term transportation reauthorization bill. Senator Lincoln supports moving forward with a new reauthorization bill as soon as we are able.”

• “Senator Lincoln requested funding for I-49 during the consideration of SAFETEA-LU, and she will do so again when Congress begins work on a new highway bill.”

• “Local leaders should remain in close contact with the offices of Senator Lincoln, Senator Pryor, and Congressman Boozman. This is important so that those supporting the project in the region are aware of the status of the next highway bill, but also so that each office has the most current information about the project, which helps the delegation promote I-49 to their colleagues.”

U.S. Rep. John Boozman
• “Debate on the latest federal highway bill is underway. In April and May I testified in support of I-49 funds in the Highway Bill and subcommittees conducted hearings on the need for long-term reauthorization. It is hard to tell when legislation will be drafted and debated in committee because it does take a significant amount of time to thoroughly examine priority transportation projects. The White House has not made this Highway Bill a priority. In a June letter to President Obama, members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee expressed their disappointment with the lack of action to improve our infrastructure. I am concerned that this extension will force delays in major projects like I-49.”

• “In April of 2003, Congressman Boozman testified with other members of the I-49 Caucus in front of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Highways, Transit and Pipelines Subcommittee to work to secure funding for the project.”

• “In April of 2009, Congressman Boozman called I-49 a high priority corridor for this country and urged his colleagues to support and secure funding in the Highway Bill in testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Highways and Transit Subcommittee. One month later he testified about the importance of funding I-49 in front of the Transportation and Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee for funding through the Highway Bill.

• “As a member of the Highways Subcommittee, Congressman Boozman has met with the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee to request Members visit the I-49 corridor.”

• “Congressman Boozman has met with (Arkansas Highway Commissioner) Dick Trammell to discuss the importance of I-49 to the State of Arkansas, and continues to work with him to ensure the State is making the corridor a priority.”

• “I think it is beneficial for local leaders to stress the importance of this funding to the Senators. Reaching to counterparts in communities in other areas touched by I-49 will also help ensure a joint effort continues.”

Ray Gosack, deputy Fort Smith city administrator
• “The Fort Smith board of directors made I-49 the city’s top legislative priority in early 2008.  Since then, we’ve been lobbying our congressional delegation for funding by making 4 personal visits to Washington, D.C., meeting with staff of the Federal Highway Administration in D.C., submitting funding applications, and working with our highway commissioner, Dick Trammel, to gain his support for the project. The city also supported the effort of the Western Arkansas Planning & Development District to endorse the construction of the Bella Vista bypass. Although not in our immediate region, this bypass only increases the value and importance of the I-49 corridor. It eliminates one of the 2 remaining gaps in the I-49 corridor between I-40 and I-44 in southwest Missouri.”

• “We need to continue lobbying our congressional delegation, and encourage our citizens to do the same. We also need to have the support of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Dept. AHTD will receive the federal funding, will have to provide the state matching funds, and will undertake the construction of the roadway. Its support for I-49 is crucial. Our state legislators and the governor must assist in obtaining AHTD’s support.”

Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman
• “We submitted local projects to the congressional office two months ago and last month to the senate side for consideration. Those were submitted per their deadlines to the committees.

• Please describe in broad strokes the effort(s) of the city of Van Buren to obtain significant funding for I-49? “Little to none since I have been in office and that does not mean that I do not support I-49. It is simply that there has never been any sort of coordinated effort or discussion involving Van Buren and Crawford County since I have been here. Yes we did support the stimulus funds being designated to the Chaffee portion but that is the extent of formal support. I can’t even say we are on the outside looking in because we don’t even know where the window is.”

Doug Thomas, lobbyist for Watts Partners (lobbying firm for the city of Fort Smith)
• “There are two lines of thinking right now in Washington on how to proceed with highway reauthorization. The White House and by and large the Senate leadership and Senate transportation leaders want an 18-month extension of current law although for different reasons. The president wants Congress to focus the limited time remaining in this session on his big ticket legislative priorities, these being health care reform, climate change, and consumer protections in the financial services industry. Some in the Senate are on board with this but others are concerned that lawmakers can’t add the additional spending a multi-billion dollar highway bill would entail to the long list of spending initiatives, bailouts, and stimulus packages already passed that have created a trillion dollar deficit. Meanwhile, House Transportation Committee leaders, and to a lesser extent Speaker Pelosi, have advocated for a new reauthorization bill. They say that a new highway bill will help create construction jobs, boost the economy, and lend a certain degree of confidence that this issue has been dealt with.”

• “Members of the Arkansas congressional delegation and especially the two senators and Congressman Boozman are well aware of the importance such projects as I-49, the I-540 interchange, and Highway 45 are to Fort Smith. We are in regular contact with these offices with regard to Fort Smith complying with various requirements to position itself well for whenever the process kicks into gear later this year.”