The 18.9-mile Missouri-Arkansas Connector, or Bella Vista Bypass, will become a new Interstate 49 segment between Pineville, Mo., and Bentonville when it opens to traffic in late September or early October and the project is within budget. A ribbon-cutting for the project is planned for Sept. 30.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation announced in early July it is moving on to the next phase of development for the construction of Interstate 49 from Highway 22 in Sebastian County to Interstate 40 in Crawford County. Learn five things to know about the project.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation is moving on to the next phase of project development for the construction of Interstate 49 from Highway 22 in Sebastian County to Interstate 40 in Crawford County.

The 5-mile section of the Bella Vista Bypass in Missouri, between Pineville and the Missouri-Arkansas state line, is 70% complete and will be open to traffic this fall, according to Missouri Department of Transportation officials.

Including I-49 extensions, here are five transportation routes proposed to be either rehabilitated or upgraded in the next 10-20 years with funds from Issue 1, according to a map of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s road plans from the Arkansas Department of Transportation. 

Arkansas State Highway Commissioner Keith Gibson of Fort Smith said Issue 1 funds, if approved by voters, would give the state enough money to begin construction on I-49 between Alma and Chaffee Crossing.

A new poll from Talk Business & Politics and Hendrix College shows the legislatively-referred measure, backed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the state’s major business interests, has the support of nearly 6 in 10 voters. The statewide survey was conducted Oct. 11-13, 2020 among 647 likely voters. The poll has a margin of error of +/-4.9%.

Whether or not a one-half percent general use sales tax will continue to be collected to help fund road projects will be decided at the polls on Election Day.

At its October 15 regular monthly meeting, the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority (FCRA) Board of Trustees issued a resolution in support of Issue 1, a proposed constitutional amendment to be decided by voters during the November 3 election period which provides for a current one-half percent fuel tax to become permanent.

Sixty-nine percent of likely Arkansas voters favor a half-cent sales tax for roads that will be on the November ballot, according to a poll released by Gov. Asa Hutchinson Sept. 23. The poll of 800 likely voters by Gilmore Strategy Group found 69% in favor of Issue 1 and 18% opposed, with 13% undecided.