Extreme traffic congestion and lengthy delays were plaguing several small Arkansas and Missouri communities along the Interstate 49 corridor. To address these issues, Arkansas and Missouri DOTs worked together on the $285 million I-49 Missouri-Arkansas Connector project. The project involved building two conventional bridges in Missouri and another bridge along northbound I-49 into Arkansas. In addition, Arkansas DOT constructed 14 miles of four-lane divided highway, four new interchanges, five new bridge structures and a new interchange—eliminating the need for six stoplights. As a result, travel is now safer, faster and smoother for the more than 20,000 vehicles traveling the I-49 corridor daily.
America's Transportation Awards 