Contract Awarded For Last Bypass Phase

PRAIRIE GROVE — The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department has awarded the contract for the final phase of the Prairie Grove bypass to APAC-Central construction firm of Fayetteville, according to Jeff Stroud, district engineer.

APAC submitted

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bid of $9,277,894.79 to pave the 4.7-mile road that starts on the eastern edge of Prairie Grove at the Illinois River Bridge, heads south around Prairie Grove and then reconnects with U. S. 62 near the Pit Stop gas station on the western side of town. The highway department opened bids Nov. 28 in Little Rock.

Stroud said the project will complete what the highway department is calling the Highway 62 Bypass Prairie Grove. The bid includes dirt work for the two- lane highway, paving and three traffic signals. Traffic lights will be located at the eastern connection point, Mock Street and Parks Street. Eventually, the byway will be a four- lane divided road.

The firm will build detours for the intersec- tions along the bypass so that traffic will be able to get through those areas during construction, Stroud said.

The state is paying for the project through 80-percent federal funds and 20percent state funds. Work should begin in two to four weeks and the highway department estimates the bypass will be completed in late 2014.