Interstate 69 in Arkansas

The proposed Interstate 69 will pass through the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Arkansas.

Planned extension

I-69 has been divided into a number of sections of independent utility (SIUs).

IU 13

In Arkansas, I-69 and U.S. 278 will continue west to McGehee, where U.S. 278 will leave I-69 and rejoin its existing routing. I-69 will continue on a separate alignment to Monticello, where it will meet the Interstate 530 extension, then bypass Wilmar and Warren to the south, and turn to the southwest, crossing the Ouachita River and running between El Dorado and Louann to meet U.S. Route 82 west of El Dorado between Magnolia and El Dorado.

The Final Environmental Impact Statement on SIU 13 was completed in April 2006, and the Federal Highway Administration issued a Record of Decision approving the FEIS on May 25, 2006. This convert|103|mi|km|0|sing=on segment is currently in the final design phase, with construction expected to cost $784 million. [ [http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=29030 I-69 Route In South Arkansas Approved. KTHV TV, Little Rock, May 25, 2006] ] Arkansas further divides SIU 13 into several smaller segments. According to the state's 2007-2010 STIP, Arkansas officials plan to break ground on the first leg of SIU 13--the Monticello Bypass--in 2009.

IU 14

From U.S. 82, I-69 will continue to the southwest, crossing the Louisiana state line near Haynesville, Louisiana. Arkansas and Louisiana officials continue to work on the draft EIS for this portion of the route, with some changes being made with public inputs.

IU 28

Segment 28 will extend Interstate 530 from its current terminus in Pine Bluff to a planned interchange with I-69 south of Monticello. This segment has been divided into several smaller sections, with work proceeding at various rates on each. In June 2006 a convert|4|mi|km|1|sing=on section of the I-530 extension opened to traffic between Highway 35 and US 278 near Wilmar. The remaining portions of SIU 28 are in various stages of land acquisition and construction. [ [http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=29435 New Arkansas Highway To Be Dedicated. KTHV TV - Little Rock, June 5, 2006] ] Objections from the community of Pinebergen has forced planners to re-consider the routing of the northernmost segment of the I-530 extension, delaying its construction. [ [http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=24078 Interstate 530 Plans In Neutral. KTHV TV - Little Rock, February 20, 2006] ] Public meetings were conducted in late 2006 and early 2007, and the alignment of the north end of the I-530 extension was shifted slightly. Construction on the interchange where the I-530 extension will tie into the existing I-530 near Ohio Street on the south side of Pine Bluff began on October 29, 2007. [ [http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=100482.33415.112624 I-69 Connector Interchange Construction Kickoff Set for Monday, Arkansas Business, October 26, 2007] ] On March 8, 2008 the Arkansas Highway Department awarded an $11.8 million contract to T.J. Lambrecht Construction, Inc. of Joliet, Illinois, to construct 10 miles (16 km) of the I-530 extension through Jefferson, Lincoln, and Cleveland Counties. [ [http://www.monticellolive.com/?p=2698 State HWY Commission Plans Work On I-530, Monticello Live, March 8, 2008] ]

References