Roundabout work starts
Significant progress can be seen where the Bella Vista Bypass will tie into Interstate 49 and North Walton Boulevard.
The final wall of rock has been removed, revealing an expansive view to the west for people traveling north on I-49 as they come down the hill into Little Sugar Creek Valley.
Work has also started on the
roundabout that will tie all the roads together.
People have criticized the use of a roundabout on an interstate highway.
“The ‘modified connec- tor,’ as we are calling it, is designed for large trucks to efficiently and safely navigate,” explained Danny Straessle, public information officer with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. Folks need to understand they will not proceed through this connector at interstate speeds.
He said the modified connector should be considered as a temporary gateway to the Bella Vista Bypass.
“It’s a transportation hub that will provide motorists access to all of the major highways in the area,” Straessle said.
It’s important to remember this modified connector is temporary.
“We have designs for a much larger full interchange — but it depends on the bypass being completed through Missouri. If we were to construct it now, the interchange would actually make traf- fic in the area worse,” Straessle said. “We realize there is a lot of skepticism, but like all of our highway projects, a lot of good, solid engineering has gone into this solution — even if it is temporary.”
An animation of traffic going through the roundabout is available at vimeo. com/85181840.
Paving has started on the two-lane track between Hiwasse and Bentonville.
The two-lane road is designated Arkansas Highway 549 in a nod to its future designation of I-49. An additional two lanes will be added in the future to turn Arkansas 549 into I-49.