I-49, Greenwood, Charleston road projects make CAP-2 list

The Fort Smith Times-Record ^ | June 18, 2019 | John Lovett

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

A first-draft plan for Arkansas roadway spending shows lane additions to the Greenwood bypass and Arkansas 22 between Charleston and Fort Smith, as well as potential Interstate 49 construction in the Fort Smith area.

Dubbed the CAP-2 draft by the Arkansas Department of Transportation, the Connecting Arkansas Program-2 list is a “data driven” starting point work that will largely be contingent on the continuation of a half-percent sales tax next year, according to ARDOT spokesperson Danny Straessle.

“The governor proposes to make it permanent,” Straessle said. “This is a list of about 20 years of work.”

In a recent meeting, the Arkansas Highway Commission chose one of three options from the governor for directing funds. The option chosen directs $1 billion to interstate maintenance, $3 billion to pavement preservation, $1.1 billion to bridge replacement and preservation and $1.8 billion to capital and congestion relief, and $500 million to safety improvements. “Option 2” provides $800 million more in capital and congestion relief than “Option 1.” The third option provided no money for capital improvements and $4.8 billion on pavement preservation.

The Arkansas 10 Greenwood bypass project is estimated to cost about $25 million. The Arkansas 22 lane addition between Charleston and Fort Smith is estimated at $25 million. The I-49 projects of building two-lane roads from Arkansas 22 to I-40, and from Y City to south of Greenwood are an estimated $270 million each. The valuations are done using the value of the dollar in 2019, Straessle noted.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

PING.

[McGarrett]

AHTD, looking to build lots of nice new highway while ignoring hundreds of miles of roads needing repair. “We don’t have the funds!”