Craighead County – Interstate 555 Corridor Study
Craighead County is one of Arkansas’s fastest-growing counties, with much of this growth occurring south and west of Interstate 555 (I-555). As this growth is expected to continue, it is important to plan now for tomorrow’s transportation needs. To this end, the Department is conducting a long-range planning study of this area.
This study seeks to identify current problems and to anticipate future problems along the I-555 corridor (including cross-streets). The corridor will be reviewed in terms of safety, mobility/congestion, maintenance, and multimodal performance. Once problems are identified, improvement alternatives will be developed to address these needs. This study will become the vision for I-555 over the next twenty years.
Craighead County – South and West Connector Study
Craighead County is one of Arkansas’s fastest-growing counties, with much of this growth occurring south and west of Interstate 555 (I-555). As this growth is expected to continue, it is important to plan now for tomorrow’s transportation needs. To this end, the Department is conducting a long-range planning study of this area.
This study seeks to understand the need for roadway connectivity to the south and west of I-555. This need will be reviewed in terms of connectivity/mobility, safety, maintenance, multimodal performance, and economic competitiveness.
Saline County – Old Stagecoach Road (Highway 5) Complete Streets Connector
The Highway 5 Study (2017) concluded that anticipated traffic growth is expected to result in unacceptable traffic operations at multiple signalized intersections on Old Stagecoach Road (Highway 5) between Highway 183 and the Pulaski/Saline County line during the future year morning and afternoon peak periods. Traffic flow between signalized intersections would worsen as volumes exceed capacity and driveway densities in currently underdeveloped areas increase.
The purpose of the Old Stagecoach Road (Highway 5) Complete Streets Connector (Job 061632) project is to relieve traffic congestion and enhance safety for all roadway users. The project will provide improved travel conditions for both automobiles and non-motorized travel and will also enhance this alternate route to I-30.
Sebastian County – Highway 64 Study
The Highway 64 Study will evaluate what is needed to improve the State Highway System in and surrounding downtown Fort Smith. The Study will also propose methods to address recommended improvements including the feasibility of constructing a new Highway 64 river crossing. Recommendations will aim to reduce the negative impacts of large trucks traveling through downtown and to ease conflicts between trucks and other travel movements. The Study will consider “no-build” and bypass alternatives for their ability to produce safety and connectivity benefits throughout the day, and to reduce traffic congestion impacts during peak travel periods. The Study will analyze the current year (2022) and design year (2045) for each alternative.