BARLING, AR — Elected officials, members of the Arkansas State Highway Commission, Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials, and other community stakeholders attended a groundbreaking ceremony on the new Interstate 49 (I-49) Bridge across the Arkansas River — the first of four projects that will make up the I-49 Extension. The groundbreaking took place on the new bridge approach at the end of H Street in Barling, Arkansas.
The new bridge will cross the Arkansas River, including a river relief structure, and ramps at the Gun Club Road interchange. It is funded through a combination of federal-aid highway funding, federal grant funding, Community Project Funding, and state funds. The job was awarded to Manhattan Road & Bridge Company, LLC for $282.5 million.
Construction of the new bridge structure will provide an efficient north-south connector for freight and the traveling public in western Arkansas.
“The I-49 Extension project, particularly the I-49 Arkansas River bridge, is a significant milestone toward our goal of completing the I-49 corridor from Fort Smith to Texarkana,” Arkansas Highway Commission Vice Chairman Keith Gibson said. “When finished, I-49 will offer a safer and more efficient north-south highway in western Arkansas."
“This is just the beginning of our overall goal to complete Interstate 49 in Arkansas,” ARDOT Director Jared Wiley said. “We’re grateful for the support from our congressional delegation, our state and local elected officials, and — of course — the citizens of Arkansas. Without their support of Amendment 101 five years ago, none of this would be possible.”
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| ASCO Equipment |
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This job is estimated to be complete by early 2029.
