Interstate 49

Route map:
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

US 167 / LA 182 in Lafayette, LA
Major intersections
North end
I-20 in Shreveport, LA
Northern Louisiana–Southern Arkansas segment
South end I-220 in Shreveport, LA
Major intersections
North end
US 59 / US 71 in Texarkana, AR
Northern segment
South end I-40 / US 71 near Alma, AR
Major intersections I-44 near Joplin, MO
North end I-435 / I-470 / US 50 / US 71 in Kansas City, MO
Location
CountryUnited States
StatesLouisiana, Arkansas, Missouri
Highway system

Interstate 49 (I-49) is a north–south

Interstate Highway with multiple segments. The original portion is entirely within Louisiana with an additional signed portion extending from I-220 in Shreveport to the Arkansas state line, three newer sections are in Arkansas, and one section in Missouri. Its southern terminus is in Lafayette, Louisiana, at I-10 while its northern terminus is in Kansas City, Missouri, at I-435 and I-470. Future plans include portions of the remaining roadway in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas, to link Kansas City, Missouri with New Orleans
.

Although not part of the original 1957 Interstate Highway plan, residents of Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana began campaigning for the highway in 1965 via the "US 71 - I-29 Association". The campaign called for I-29 to be extended south from Kansas City to New Orleans following much of the route along U.S. Route 71 (US 71). The plan called for creating a limited access expressway from New Orleans to the Canadian border and on to Winnipeg (via Manitoba Highway 75). When I-49 is complete, the goal of the association will have been accomplished,[3] with only a brief gap between the Grandview Triangle and I-29 at the Kansas City Downtown Loop served by US 71 (Bruce R. Watkins Memorial Drive) or other Interstates such as I-435 and I-70 in Kansas City.

Route description

Lengths
  mi[1]
km
LA 239.25 385.04
AR 124.31 200.06
TX
MO 183.96 296.05
Total 547.52 881.15

Louisiana

Main article: Interstate 49 in Louisiana

The southern terminus of I-49 is located at a

Alexandria metropolitan area
in central Louisiana.

I-49 travels through downtown

US 84, connecting with Coushatta and Mansfield
, respectively.

In Shreveport, the Interstate heads directly into the downtown area and terminates at

I-220 upon intersecting I-20. On the northside of town, motorists may exit I-220 and follow the next segment of I-49, which parallels US 71 into Arkansas
.

The heaviest traffic on I-49 occurs within the cities of Shreveport and Opelousas. The stretch of freeway in Shreveport sees an average of 70,000 vehicles per day, while the stretch of freeway between Lafayette and Carencro sees an average of 55,000 vehicles per day, and the stretch of freeway through Opelousas sees an average of 45,000 vehicles per day between the Judson Walsh Drive and Creswell Lane exits.

During the sugarcane season, many trucks and tractors pulling heavy cane wagons cause traffic congestion and accidents.[4]

Arkansas

I-49 rises into the Ozark Mountains south of Fayetteville.
Main article: Interstate 49 in Arkansas

I-49 in Arkansas is composed of three disconnected segments: northern, southern, and a short connector skirting Fort Smith near Fort Chaffee designated as AR 549.

The southern segment of I-49 enters Arkansas from Louisiana. The short segment progresses northward to a temporary terminus at US 71 and US 59 at the Texas state line north of Texarkana.

The northern segment of I-49 in Arkansas, most of which was formerly signed as part of I-540, begins at I-40 in Alma and runs north to Northwest Arkansas through the Boston Mountains. The freeway passes through steep, sparsely populated terrain before entering the Bobby Hopper Tunnel in Washington County. Entering Northwest Arkansas, I-49 has seven exits for Fayetteville and three exits for Springdale before entering Benton County. The route serves as the boundary between Bentonville and Rogers, with seven exits for the two cities. After an interchange with US 71 just south of the Bentonville–Bella Vista city line, I-49 follows the Bella Vista Bypass, which runs to the south and west of Bella Vista before crossing into Missouri.

I-49 is designated as the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop between Alma and Fayetteville. The I-49 designation replaced the I-540 designation through Northwest Arkansas in March 2014,[5] with the exception of the Bella Vista Bypass, which was constructed between July 2011 and October 2021.

Missouri

Main article: Interstate 49 in Missouri

I-49 enters Missouri from Arkansas on the Bella Vista Bypass, eventually reuniting with US 71 south of Pineville. Continuing northward, I-49 passes through several smaller communities, including Neosho, before reaching Joplin. In Joplin, I-49 junctions with I-44 and begins a short concurrency with I-44 for exits 11 through 18.

Just a few miles east of Joplin, I-49 leaves I-44 and heads north and enters

Interstate 49 Business (I-49 Bus.)/Route 171, which provides an alternate route for northbound I-49 travelers through Joplin. I-49 then passes through Nevada and other communities before reaching the Kansas City metropolitan area. I-49 intersects with I-470 and I-435, which provides connection to I-70, I-35, and I-29
.

In south Kansas City, at Bannister Road just north of the Grandview Triangle, the I-49 designation ends, and the freeway continues as Interstate 435 north to I-70 west and the expressway continues as US 71, which proceeds into Downtown Kansas City as Bruce R. Watkins Memorial Drive.

History

Louisiana

The original plans for the Interstate Highway System did not include a north–south connection between I-10 and I-20 within Louisiana. In 1965, Governor John McKeithen proposed a toll road to perform this function and extend it to New Orleans, but the idea was never carried out.[6] In the mid-1970s, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved an Interstate Highway to run between US 190 in Opelousas and I-20 in Shreveport, a route that was designated as I-49 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in the summer of 1977.[2] The mileage was gained from mileage released from other highways the states did not build and 153 miles (246 km) from a supplemental reserve.[7] In 1981, AASHTO approved a slight extension of the designation along the existing route of US 167 from Opelousas south to I-10 in Lafayette.[8] In its early history, I-49 was commonly referred to as the North–South Expressway.[6]

Construction of I-49 began in 1981 between Opelousas and the small town of Washington.

limited-access highway, and was completed by 1983.[10][11] By the following year, virtually all remaining rural portions of the route were under construction,[11][12] and 95 percent of this mileage was completed and opened to traffic between late 1987 and late 1989.[13][14] The remaining portions running through the urban centers of Alexandria and Shreveport required a much greater expenditure of time and funding. The entire length of the 212-mile (341 km) road was completed on May 1, 1996, with the opening of a 16.6-mile (26.7 km) section in downtown Alexandria named the Martin Luther King Jr. Highway. The total cost of I-49's construction was about $1.38 billion (equivalent to $2.48 billion in 2023[15]).[7]

"Interstate 49 North" was a 36-mile (58 km) construction project that extended the highway from I-20 in Shreveport to the Arkansas state line and was divided into 11 segments. On November 27, 2013, the first 18.9-mile (30.4 km) section between LA 1 and US 71 opened to traffic,

LA 3194 (Martin Luther King Jr. Drive) and LA 1 in Shreveport was opened to northbound traffic.[18] On June 15, 2018, the entire 5.25-mile (8.45 km) portion of I-49 between I-220 and LA 1, including an interchange with I-220, was opened to traffic.[19] The remaining interchange ramps opened to traffic on October 17, 2018.[20]

Arkansas and Missouri

Arkansas and Missouri pursued an I-49 designation for US 71 and I-540 for many years. In the early 2000s, there were plans by both states to rename the roadway as such between I-44 west of Joplin and I-40 at Fort Smith once a new bypass of US 71 had been completed around Bella Vista, Arkansas, and north to Pineville, Missouri.[21] However, the AASHTO Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbers and Interstate Highways denied the I-49 designation at their annual meeting in September 2007 because none of the new roadway was yet under construction.[22] During this time, there was also some debate as to whether the I-29 designation should be extended farther south from its current terminus in Kansas City to either Joplin or all the way to Fort Smith.[23]

ghost ramp
is at the northern end of the Bella Vista Bypass in 2011; the bypass was built and opened on October 1, 2021.
This I-49 milepost marker south of Carthage, Missouri, was temporarily turned so as not to be visible to traffic in April 2012.

The I-49 designation, consisting of 180 miles (290 km) in Missouri, became official at noon on December 12, 2012.[24] The designation applies to current US 71 between I-435 in south Kansas City and Route H at Pineville (McDonald County), which was expanded to Interstate standards beginning in 2010.[25] The last of the expansion projects was completed in December 2012. I-49 also runs concurrently with I-44 between exits 11 and 18 east of Joplin.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) began installing I-49 trailblazer signage (without shields) along with gantry signs and milemarkers, about 1200 signs in all, in February 2012. Signage bearing I-49 shields was covered or turned from view until the I-49 designation received final approval by FHWA. This includes milemarkers at 0.2-mile (0.32 km) intervals along the entire alignment apart from I-44.[25]

The US 71 expansion involved removing all at-grade intersections and constructing interchanges and overpasses at 15 sites between Harrisonville and Lamar. The two-year project represented a shift in funding priorities for MoDOT, which, in 2007, announced the indefinite postponement of its portion of the Bella Vista bypass project, citing a $139-million (equivalent to $197 million in 2023[15]) funding gap in Arkansas between construction costs and toll revenues, and Arkansas's commitment to only a two-lane bypass constructed over six years.[26] MoDOT announced the Joplin-to-Kansas City expansion of US 71 in August 2010, to be done with the intention of bringing the I-49 designation to Missouri.[27]

Most of the 10.2-mile (16.4 km) corridor in Kansas City, constructed between 1990 and 2001,[28] was built to Interstate standards. However, three at-grade intersections—at Gregory Boulevard (71st Street), 59th Street, and 55th Street—prevent the I-49 designation from being extended all the way to downtown. All three of these intersections were on the Kansas City Police Department's 2010 list of "Top 20 Crash Sites in Kansas City", at #9, #6 and #4, respectively,[29] and Watkins Drive has the reputation among commuters as "one of the city's most accident-prone stretches of road".[30] Many neighborhood associations in Kansas City have historically objected to expanding Watkins Drive to a freeway.[31] MoDOT has gone on record stating a court order keeps them from removing the stoplights, making conversion of this stretch unlikely. A MoDOT blog post says "Ample right of way was acquired to someday allow MoDOT to reconstruct the three signal-controlled, at-grade intersections to grade-separated interchanges, allowing traffic on Bruce R. Watkins Drive to flow unimpeded. Neither MoDOT nor the city of Kansas City can initiate this change. It is up to the citizens, who must raise the issue again through the court system to amend the class-action agreement."[32]

The I-49 designation carries through the

I-435, I-470
, and I-49.

I-130, a former future designation from 2000 to 2014, was removed and no longer exists as part of the Texarkana Loop.[34]

Southern Arkansas segment

The first reassurance marker on AR 549 north of US 71 near Texarkana.

A temporary designation of

AR 549 had been assigned to I-49 between US 71 north of Texarkana and Doddridge, five miles (8.0 km) from the state line.[35]

I-49 has now been completed to the state line. "Future I-49" segments extending northward from Texarkana, Arkansas, plus segments from Doddridge south into Louisiana were shown on the official Arkansas 2013 Highway Map.[36] The route was completed and signed as I-49 in late 2014.[citation needed]

Bella Vista Bypass

North of I-40, I-49 previously ended south of Bella Vista prior to October 1, 2021, about eight miles (13 km) south of the Missouri state line. Travelers were forced to travel north on 15 miles (24 km) of four-lane US 71 with intersections, traffic signals, lower speed limits, and congestion before the present northern segment of I-49 began at Pineville, Missouri. The completion of the 19-mile (31 km) "Bella Vista Bypass" between Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Pineville, Missouri filled the gap and made I-49 a continuous route from Kansas City to Alma, Arkansas.

A major hurdle to the construction of the bypass over the years was funding. The 2010 TIGER grant application submitted by the

Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) estimated the total cost for completion in Arkansas as $291.8 million (equivalent to $398 million in 2023[15]). The document states the portion of the bypass in Arkansas is "proposed to be constructed as a toll facility, while the Missouri portion of the Bypass will be constructed as a free route".[37]

On August 11, 2010, the

Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funding to construct a portion of the new four-lane bypass, though the funding covered only a two-lane segment 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long. Groundbreaking occurred on July 8, 2011, with a public ceremony that included Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, and Senator Mark Pryor. The USDOT news release refers to the project as part of the "I-49 corridor", effectively ending questions about how the new highway would be numbered.[38] The following year, the segment between AR 72 north and County Road 34 was let.[39] In March 2014, AHTD anticipated completion of this first segment between AR 72 north and AR 72 south in spring 2014, and the next section in autumn 2014.[40] However, AR 549 between AR 72 and County Road 34 was not completed and opened until August 22, 2015.[41]

Following the passing of a ten-year half-cent sales tax measure in 2012, AHTD had acquired sufficient additional revenue to fund the southbound half of the Bella Vista Bypass without tolls.

U.S. Route 71 Business (US 71B) in February 2014 as the first job of the Connecting Arkansas Program.[43][44] AHTD anticipated completion of this project in 2016.[40]

In 2012, Missouri still had $40 million (equivalent to $52.5 million in 2023[15]) available for construction of its portion of the Bella Vista bypass from Pineville to the Arkansas state line. MoDOT's I-49 project manager said in an interview that "[MoDOT has] told Arkansas that whatever schedule it sets, we will meet them at the state line."[45] However, once Arkansas began building toward the state line, it was revealed that Missouri was $25 million (equivalent to $32.2 million in 2023[15]) short of the necessary funds to complete their section.[46] A ballot initiative was defeated in August 2014 in Missouri, which put the project on hold for nearly five years.[47]

The only Arkansas project remaining for a fully operational two-lane bypass was the 7.6-mile (12.2 km) section between County Road 34 and the Missouri state line; however, was is listed as TBD by AHTD.[40] Design work was complete for the roadway project and was anticipated to be complete in 2015 for the interchange. Construction of the roadway was anticipated to be complete in 2017, assuming a one-year delay related to Missouri funding.[48] Construction on the interchange was tentatively scheduled to be complete in 2018.[48] The final segment from Rocky Dell Hollow Road to the Missouri border was scheduled to be completed with all four lanes by late 2021 to meet up with the Missouri segment. Widening this segment was begun in 2020.[49]

On May 10, 2017, a 6.4-mile (10.3 km) segment of the bypass between the existing five-mile (8.0 km) segment near Hiwasse, Arkansas, and a new temporary roundabout interchange with I-49 and US 71 near Bentonville, Arkansas, opened after three years of construction and costed over $50 million (equivalent to $61.1 million in 2023[15]) to complete.[50]

In March 2019, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved funding for the completion of the Bella Vista Bypass.[51] Construction bids were approved in early April 2020, and construction was expected to finish in Arkansas by late 2021.[52] The remaining 4.8 miles (7.7 km) in Missouri were also slated to be completed by late 2021. Once Missouri completed this portion, the gap closed, and four contiguous lanes of freeway from the Kansas City region to Alma, Arkansas, near the Fort Smith area was completed. The Bella Vista Bypass opened to traffic on October 1, 2021.[53]

Future

Southern Louisiana segment

Future corridor I-49 sign in Lafayette, Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is working to extend I-49 from Lafayette southeast to New Orleans along the route of US 90, which is a divided four-lane highway between the two cities. This segment is listed under High Priority Corridor 37.[54] Some portions, such as the freeway between Morgan City and the Raceland area, are already built to Interstate standards.[citation needed]

In the Lafayette area, the project is divided into two projects, the I-49 Lafayette Connector and the expansion of US 90 from Lafayette Regional Airport to the LA 88 interchange.

LA 88 will be an at-grade six-lane freeway with a two-mile (3.2 km) segment of eight-lane elevated freeway through the suburb of Broussard. Work on this segment began on November 15, 2022.[58]

US 90 between

LA 318 south of Jeanerette, which was converted to a grade-separated interchange with frontage roads for local access.[59] From Wax Lake to the Atchafalaya River bridge at Morgan City, US 90 is a four-lane divided at-grade expressway. A Supplemental EIS is ongoing to expand that segment to interstate standards.[citation needed
]

The Raceland–New Orleans segment of the proposed I-49 South was originally approved in 2008 with a Record of Decision for a fully elevated freeway on a mostly new alignment along the entire length. However, in 2014, DOTD launched a study to consider less expensive alternatives and to expedite design and construction of that segment.

LA 3127
.

In the immediate New Orleans area, I-49 is planned to follow the route of US 90 Bus., much of which is an elevated freeway. US 90 Bus. follows the Westbank Expressway through Westwego, Gretna, and Algiers. It then crosses Crescent City Connection over the Mississippi River into Downtown New Orleans and continues onto the Pontchartrain Expressway to an interchange with I-10. "Future I-49" signage is along US 90 and US 90 Bus.

Shreveport segment

In addition to the southern extension, Louisiana officials are working on the completion of I-49 from Shreveport to the Arkansas state line. Options for the remaining gap between I-20 and I-220 in Shreveport include the proposed Inner-City Connector, a 3.6-mile (5.8 km) direct connection between the completed portions of I-49.

LA 3132 (Inner Loop Expressway) and I-220 through Shreveport.[62] Opposition regarding the direct routing through the historic Allendale neighborhood led to new proposal that would also provide a direct connection to the completed I-49, but loop around the neighborhood instead of going through it. The proposal was made public on January 20, 2023,[63] with strong public opposition[64] and positive feedback.[65]

Texas

North of Texarkana, I-49 is eventually planned to have an interchange with US 71 and US 59 and cross into Texas for a short destination, I-49 will enter Texas for about five miles (8.0 km), then turning northwest and cross the Red River to re-enter Arkansas,[66] when completed, I-49 will cross a brand new bridge that will cross the Red River, the construction of any part of the highway in Texas is clearly unknown, with there being no future signages or built portions in the state.

Central Arkansas segment

The 180-mile (290 km) section between Texarkana and Fort Smith remains largely incomplete. Right-of-way has been acquired and engineering has been completed, but construction is contingent upon allocating funding to the corridor.

Fort Chaffee as the first and southernmost phase of the extension of I-49 bypassing I-540. The project is explicitly mentioned as an effort to complete I-49 in the TIGER grant application.[68] Colloquially referred to as "Chaffee Crossing", this first phase was completed on July 15, 2015, at the AR 549 and AR 22 Interchange A groundbreaking on the segment to I-40 occurred on October 13, 2022; this segment was estimated to cost $800 million, almost half of which is going to the bridge over the Arkansas River. Since then, the cost has increased to $1 billion. Construction on this project was to start in early 2024 and last five to six years.[69][70][71] However, it has since been delayed to Summer 2025 as the project is not expected to be let until late-2024 or early-2025. Completion will be in 2035.[72] South of this segment, I-49 is planned to follow the general route of US 71 through the state between I-30 and I-40.[73]

Junction list

Louisiana
US 167 / LA 182 in Lafayette. I-49 and US 167 travel concurrently to a point between Opelousas and Washington
.
US 190 east of Opelousas
US 167 south of Lecompte
US 71 / US 167 in Alexandria. I-49 and US 167 travel concurrently into downtown Alexandria.
US 71 / US 165 in Alexandria
US 371 southwest of Coushatta
US 84 west of Grand Bayou
Future I-69 near Stonewall
LA 3132 in Shreveport. Freeway carrying through traffic bound for I-20 west and northern segment of I-49.
I-20 in Shreveport
Gap in route
I-220 in Shreveport
US 71 between Gilliam and Hosston
Arkansas
US 71 south-southeast of Doddridge
US 71 south of Fouke
US 71 in Texarkana
US 82 in Texarkana
US 67 in Texarkana
I-30 in Texarkana
Arkansas–Texas line
US 59 / US 71 north of Texarkana
Texas
Not finished
Arkansas
US 71 in Fort Smith
Gap in route
I-40 / US 71 in Alma
US 71 in Fayetteville. The highways travel concurrently to Bentonville.
US 62 in Fayetteville. The highways travel concurrently to Bentonville.
US 412 in Springdale
US 71B / US 71 in Bentonville
Missouri
US 71 south of Pineville. The highways travel concurrently to Kansas City.
US 60 in Neosho
I-44 south-southwest of Duenweg. The highways travel concurrently to Fidelity.
US 160 in Lamar
US 54 in Nevada
I-435 / I-470 / US 50 / US 71 in Kansas City

[74]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Starks, Edward (January 27, 2022). "Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways". FHWA Route Log and Finder List. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (July 6, 1977). "Route Numbering Committee Agenda" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 2. Retrieved January 19, 2016 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  3. ^ "I-49 Conversion". Missouri Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on July 10, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  4. ^ Nadeau, Gregory G (March 28, 2014). "Letter Approving I-49 Designation" (PDF). Letter to Scott E. Bennett. Federal Highway Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Moving northward". Morning Advocate. Baton Rouge. April 9, 1986. p. 3B.
  6. ^ a b "Previous Facts of the Day". 50th Anniversary Interstate Highway System. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  7. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (October 3, 1981). "Route Numbering Committee Agenda" (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 2. Retrieved January 19, 2016 – via Wikisource.
  8. ^ Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (1979). Louisiana (Map) (1980 ed.). Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
  9. ^ a b Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (1981). Louisiana (Map). Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
  10. ^ a b Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (1983). Louisiana (Map). Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
  11. ^ Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (1984). Louisiana (Map). Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
  12. ^ Leblanc, Doug (March 29, 1987). "Interstate 49 Expected to be Finished by 1991". Sunday Advocate. Baton Rouge. p. 1B.
  13. ^ "New Stretch of Interstate to be Opened". Morning Advocate. Baton Rouge. November 10, 1989. p. 7B.
  14. ^
    Gross Domestic Product deflator
    figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
  15. ^ "I-49 North". Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  16. ^ Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. "I-49 North". Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Archived from the original on June 16, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  17. ^ Heyen, Curtis (May 30, 2017). "Louisiana to Open Part of New Stretch of I-49 on Wednesday". Shreveport, LA: KSLA News 12. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  18. ^ KSLA Staff. "LaDOTD opens new ramps along I-49, I-220 in Caddo". Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  19. ^ "New Shreveport I-49, I-220 interchange officially opens". shreveporttimes.com. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  20. ^ Kennedy, Wally (May 11, 2007). "Plan Holds 2008 Finish for Range Line Bypass". The Joplin Globe. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  21. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (September 29, 2007). "Report for SCOH" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2017.[page needed]
  22. ^ "Interstate 49 (Corridors 1 and 37)". AARoads. June 9, 2002. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  23. Kansas City Star. September 2, 2012. Archived from the original
    on September 6, 2012.
  24. ^ a b Southwest District Office. "New I-49 Signs Being Installed Along US 71" (Press release). Missouri Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  25. ^ "Missouri Gateway to Bella Vista Bypass Scrapped". Joplin Independent. October 15, 2007. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
  26. ^ Community Relations Office (August 4, 2010). "I-49 Coming to Missouri" (Press release). Missouri Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  27. ^ Porter, Steve (July 28, 2009). "Bruce R. Watkins Drive Is Smoother Months Ahead of Schedule" (Press release). Missouri Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on June 1, 2010.
  28. ^ "Kansas City PD Top 20 Crash Sites, 2010" (PDF). Kansas City, MO: KMBC-TV. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  29. ^ Wilson, Susan B. (June 15, 2010). "No Changes in Store for Controversial Bruce R Watkins Drive". Kansas City, MO: KCUR-FM. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  30. ^ Ortega, Tony (May 26, 2005). "Road Rage". The Pitch. Kansas City, MO. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  31. ^ "Comments and responses from MoDOT's blog relating to ARRA" (PDF). Summary of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Briefings. Missouri Department of Transportation. March 10, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  32. ^ "Kansas City's Vital Link" (PDF). Pathways. Missouri Department of Transportation. Fall 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 12, 2008.
  33. ^ Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. "AHTD List of ARRA projects" (PDF). Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. (Though both are labeled "Hwy. 71" here, as described #030325 is AR 245/future I-130 & I-49, while #030354 is AR 549/future I-49.)
  34. ^ Whatley, Jeff (May 13, 2013). "Highway 549 Opens to Traffic in Texarkana Wednesday" (PDF) (Press release). Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  35. ^ State Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by Planning and Research Division. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 29, 2014.[full citation needed]
  36. ^ Staff (August 23, 2010). "Highway 71: Bella Vista Bypass" (PDF). TIGER II Discretionary Grant Program 2010. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 5, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
  37. ^ "U.S. Department of Transportation, Arkansas Agreement Clears Way for Construction on Bella Vista Bypass" (Press release). Federal Highway Administration. August 11, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  38. ^ "Route 71, Section 19, Hwy. 72 North-Co. Rd. 34 (B.V. Bypass) (F)" (PDF). Construction Documents. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. March 7, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  39. ^ a b c Bennett, Scott (March 5, 2014). "AHTD Presentation to ASCE Day of Training" (PDF). Fayetteville, AR: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  40. ^ "Second section of Bella Vista Bypass opened to traffic". NWADG.com. August 22, 2015.
  41. ^ Smith, Jamie (April 9, 2013). "Half-Cent Sales Tax Projects Coming into Fruition". The City Wire. Archived from the original on May 14, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  42. ^ "Route 71, Section 19, Hwy. 71B-Hwy. 72 South (Bella Vista Bypass) (S)" (PDF). Construction Documents. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  43. ^ "Bids opened for next phase of Bella Vista Bypass". Little Rock, AR: KTHV. February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  44. ^ "US 71 Highway to become I-49 on Wednesday". Kansas City, MO: KMBC-TV. December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  45. ^ Kargas, Marissa; Leach, Sean (September 12, 2013). "Bella Vista Bypass Hits $25M Bump in the Road". NWA Homepage. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  46. ^ Moritz, Rob (September 12, 2013). "Highway Commission Postpones Part Of Bella Vista Bypass Project". The Southwest Times Record. Fort Smith, AR. Arkansas News Bureau. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  47. ^ a b "Highway 71: Benton County". Connecting Arkansas Program. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  48. ^ Wood, Ron (April 9, 2020). "End in sight for completing Interstate 49 around Bella Vista". McDonald County Press.
  49. ^ Kathryn Gilker (May 10, 2017). "New Portion Of I-49 Bypass Complete In Bella Vista". 5News. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  50. ^ Della Rosa, Jeff (March 6, 2019). "Missouri to complete its part of Bella Vista Bypass by 2022". Talk Business & Politics.
  51. ^ Ostmeyer, Andy (April 2, 2020). "Missouri awards contract for its share of Bella Vista bypass". Joplin Globe.
  52. ^ "I-49 Bella Vista bypass now complete". Fayetteville Flyer. October 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  53. ^ "Statutory Listing of Corridor Descriptions - High Priority Corridors - National Highway System - Planning - FHWA". Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  54. ^ "I-49 Lafayette Connector". I-49 Lafayette Connector. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  55. ^ "I-49 Lafayette Connector: How We Got Here". The Advertiser. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  56. ^ Marcantel, Stephen (March 1, 2023). "How a civil rights investigation could alter the I-49 Connector". The Current. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  57. ^ "Governor, local officials, kick off future I-49 construction; here's what it will look like". The Advocate. November 15, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  58. ^ "US 90 (Future I-49) LA 318 Interchange". Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  59. ^ "Environmental". wwwsp.dotd.la.gov. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  60. ^ "I-49 Inner-City Connector–Shreveport". I-49 Inner-City Connector–Shreveport. 2016. Archived from the original on June 5, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  61. ^ "Interstate 49 Northbound (Shreveport Vicinity)". Louisiana @ SouthEastRoads. February 27, 2004. Retrieved January 28, 2013.[self-published source]
  62. ^ Heyen, Curtis (January 24, 2023). "New I-49 inner-city connector study corridor would avoid historic Allendale neighborhood". www.ksla.com. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  63. ^ Abbott, Chloe (May 31, 2023). "I-49 connector project subject of debate before MPC". KTBS. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  64. ^ "Alternative route for I-49 inner city connector gains momentum". KTBS. September 26, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  65. ^ State Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by Planning and Research Division. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2014.
  66. ^ State Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Cartography by Planning and Research Division. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2014.
  67. ^ "Highway 71 New Location (Future Interstate 49)" (PDF). Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Discretionary Grant Program Fiscal Year 2012 Application. Arkansas Department of Transportation. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  68. ^ "I-49 Project". Arkansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  69. ^ Smith, Jacob (October 10, 2022). "Future Interstate 49 to break ground in Barling". KNWA FOX24. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  70. ^ Williams, Rachel (October 14, 2022). "Arkansas officials break ground on I-49 expansion in Barling". 5newsonline.com. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  71. ^ Tilley, Michael (March 12, 2024). "Cost of I-49 segment between Barling and Alma rises to $1 billion". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  72. KHBS-TV
    . Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  73. ISBN 978-0-528-00771-2
    .
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Interstate 49.
KML file (edit • help)
Template:Attached KML/Interstate 49
KML is from Wikidata
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Interstate_49&oldid=1269938197"