Bella Vista Bypass on hold, angry drivers please send nasty emails up NORTH

As some of you may know, Arkansas voters approved a bond measure at the most recent elections, giving AHTD up to $1.3 billion for roadway projects in the state. One of these that was to get underway ASAP was the Bella Vista Bypass (AHTD 090224), a badly needed freeway around BV, also a huge part of extending I-49 from New Orleans to KC as well as traffic relief for many in NWA.

Arkansas gave a notice to proceed in June 2011 under the impression Missouri would meet them at the state line. Arkansas fought for TIGER 2 funds from the federal government in order to begin construction under ARRA (the 2009 stimulus bill). Former Transportation Secy Ray LaHood was on hand in Hiwassee for the groundbreaking, acknowledging the importance of the project as well as the grit NWA showed in fighting for this money





It has now come to light that Missouri has taken the $25 million dedicated to their short 5 miles of the project and spent it elsewhere, meaning Arkansas's new 15 mile section of road would stub out at the state line

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"About two weeks ago, we found out that Missouri says they're $25-million short to tie into us at the Missouri line... We're going to work with them and we're going to make this possible,"

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Bella Vista Bypass Hits $25M Bump in the Road

Given this info, the Arkansas State Highway Commission had no choice but to halt construction and take the funds dedicated to the final portion of the BVB (Co Rd 34-Missouri State Line, 090302) off the table for now. A bill introduced in Missouri to fund the project failed to pass, and a bill is now being sent to the people in November 2014 to see if Missouri wants to cash the check its uppity arse wrote in 2008.

Highway Commission Postpones Part Of Bella Vista Bypass Project

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“It will most likely be November 2014 before we know for sure whether they’ll be able to proceed

In Arkansas, construction has already started on much of the $150 million project which will stretch as a two-lane highway from U.S. 71 in north Bentonville west to Gravette and north to the Missouri line, Bennett said.

He said construction of the section from Benton County Road 34 to the Missouri line would be unnecessary at this time because the two-lane road would abruptly stop at the state line.

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“It’s very disappointing right now that Missouri can’t come up with the money

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they did tell us that once we get there they’ll match it.”

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Just thought some may be interested in why AHTD is going to be a year or so late on completing the BVB; it's not because AHTD is a corrupt highway department that wastes millions, its because Missouri is unable to deliver on its promises.

For MoDOT, an organization that loves to put "completed as promised" on its signs following completion of a bridge or resurfacing, they have dropped the ball big time. Arkansas is the progressive, forward-thinking state and Missouri is the useless intern who accidentally shredded the only important piece of paper on his desk and his boss needed it yesterday.



Not so much, MoDOT