70E expansion to be completed later this month

The $78.5 million widening of U.S. Highway 70 east should be finished later this month, three months ahead of schedule.

Arkansas Department of Transportation spokesman Danny Straessle said May 25 is the estimated completion date, weather permitting. Final striping, rumble strip placement and the installation of a traffic signal at the Highway 128 intersection still has to be completed.

“We are almost done and are in the process of planning a ribbon cutting to celebrate completion of the project June 1,” Straessle said, adding that the traffic signal should be installed by the end of next week. “The light will be operational once a required testing period has concluded and all phase timing is complete.”

The 17.8-mile widening from Hot Springs to Interstate 30 will expand the highway to four travel lanes and a turn lane. The speed limit will be 60 mph, Straessle said. August was the original estimated completion date when the project, awarded to McGeorge Contracting of Pine Bluff, began in January 2017.

It’s one of several the 2016-2020 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program has planned or underway for almost every approach into the city. The STIP includes $5 million for development of the 5.49-mile extension of the King Expressway from the Highway 70 east interchange to the junction of

highways 5 and 7.

Proceeds from the $54.6 million bond issue Garland County voters approved in 2016 will be used to match the $5 million. The match is part of $30 million the county will commit from the bond fund to the estimated $60 million project. A half-cent countywide sales tax businesses began collecting in July secures the county’s indebtedness.

A public involvement meeting concerning safety improvements to Highway 5 from Deerpark Road to Highway 7 will be held Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at Fountain Lake School, 4207 Park Ave.

The Connecting Arkansas Program funded by the half-cent state sales tax voters passed in 2012 is paying for the Highway 70 east project. About $1.8 billion for improvements to 200 miles of highways and interstates is expected to be raised during the tax’s 10-year term.