Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – April 5, 2024 – It seems like we’re currently stuck in a never-ending cycle of road construction across NEA. In reality, the Arkansas Department of Transportation is remarkably “on schedule” with many of their construction projects that have been planned for the last decade (or more).

As ARDOT continues to move forward with each project, Jonesboro drivers become frustrated with lane closures, delays, and an endless supply of orange barrels.

We sat down with Aaron Vowell, Resident Engineer with ARDOT District 10, to talk about the status of current and future projects going on in Jonesboro and Craighead County.

 

Job 100657 – I-555 – Hwy. 49 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Extension)

Known informally as the “Eastern Bypass,” this project is approximately 35% complete at this time. With an estimated cost of $61.1 million, this new road hopes to relieve over 10,000 vehicles a day from Red Wolf Blvd. Crews are working on the bridge at Kathleen currently, and are expected to start asphalt later this week. Drivers will notice large beams being transported to the job site down Highway 49 to be used as girders for the railroad overpass. Vowell noted that the entire railroad system in the area will need to be shut down and all trains halted once the beams arrive so they can be installed. This project is expected to be completed in mid to late 2026.

Job 100924 – Airport Road Overpass

With the Jonesboro Regional Airport situated directly between two railroads, the need for an overpass is much overdue. This project is estimated at $18.7 million and is approximately 21% complete. Once it’s finished, the footprint of Airport Road will be altered slightly to allow the incline and decline for the remarkably high clearance needs of the overpass. The construction won’t affect the VFW or Nettleton Cemetery. This project is estimated to be completed in early-mid 2025.

Job A00038 – Hwy 63 / I-555 S. of Bono – Hwy 91

Continuing the ongoing upgrades to “the Bypass,” this pavement preservation project boasts a new overlay of Hwy 63 from Dan Ave 2 miles north to Bono Hill. The current asphalt in the area “isn’t detrimental” according to Vowell, but does need some attention. The $1.6 thin overlay project will begin this week with alternating lane closures. Work will be halted for approximately two weeks, then work will resume for approximately one week at the end of April.

Job A00057 – Hwy 226 Spur – North

Next on the list of pavement preservation projects, Highway 226 from “‘the curve” down the hill to the 226 spur is scheduled to be overlaid. The $262,497.50 project doesn’t have a scheduled start date, but must be completed this year.

 

Job A00060 – Hwy 351

The Highway 351 pavement preservation project begins at approximately Peachtree Rd and heads north for 7 miles to the county line. This thin overlay project is estimated at $1.8 million and must be completed this year.

Vowell also wanted to discuss future projects that are on the horizon for ARDOT. These projects are scheduled to let in 2024. “Let” refers to the process of receiving bids prior to any award of a construction contract for any portion of the project.

 

Job 100875 – Hilltop Intersection Improvements

This extremely visible project seems like it’s already begun! In reality, what we can see so far is just “the work before the work.” Utility companies are moving and upgrading gas lines, phone lines, and other utilities so that construction can begin in 2025. The overall plan for the project is to widen 351 from 49 to Pleasant View, widen/upgrade the 351 and 49 intersection, and widen/upgrade the Airport and Johnson intersection. The entire project is scheduled to let in June 2024, but construction wouldn’t begin until several months after that.

 

Job 100879 – Southwest and Parker

The Southwest and Parker intersection has an average daily traffic count of 25,000. Improvements to the intersection include widening in all directions, double turn lanes in several directions, and widening Parker Rd all the way to Culberhouse. The project is scheduled to be let in November, but construction won’t start until 2025.

Job 100881 – Highway 1B

Informally known as Harrisburg Rd, Hwy 1B is scheduled to be widened to 5 lanes from Parker Rd to Forest Hill. The project will let in November but work won’t begin until 2025.

A few notes that Vowell wanted to include after our discussion;

  • The lighting on I-555 is a “city project” rather than an ARDOT project. He believes that the City of Jonesboro has begun reinstalling the streetlights on I-555 since they were all removed for construction in 2020, but isn’t sure when the project is scheduled to be completed.
  • All ARDOT projects will be halted for the eclipse on April 8 and no lane closures will be permitted. All construction zones have been instructed to move barrels and cones to allow as many lanes to be open as possible.
  • ARDOT employees will be prepared to help stalled vehicles before and during the eclipse. Maintenance vehicles will be “out and about” all weekend attempting to fix as many issues as they can find.
  • The City of Jonesboro is “taking over” several highways once ARDOT projects are complete. These roads will no longer be known as highways and all maintenance will fall back on the city. The south section of Hwy 351 (Airport Rd) and Hwy 226 are two examples.