Highway 549: Benton County

Job CA0903 Highway 71 Interchange
This project constructed approximately 2.8 miles of highway with bridge structures and included a new Bella Vista Bypass interchange with Highway 71 in Bentonville. The construction schedule will be coordinated with the Missouri Department of Transportation's timeline to construct its section of the bypass.

Highway 71 Interchange Map

Updates:

• Construction Overview
  - Constructing a single-point urban interchange with U.S. Highway 71
  - Removing the roundabout and constructing entrance and exit ramps with U.S. Highway 71
  - Constructing 2.8 miles of two-lane highway with bridge structures
  - Constructing drainage structures
  - Construction was substantially complete in December 2021
  
• Bid Opening
  ARDOT opened contractor bids in July 2019 and the Arkansas State Highway Commission approved a bid for improvements by Emery Sapp & Sons and awarded the project for $66.6 million. Construction is estimated to take less than two years to complete once the contractor mobilizes and begins work.

Schedule:

View CA0903 Project Map

Job CA0904 Highway 71B – Highway 72 South
This project constructed approximately 6.4 miles of the Bella Vista Bypass, extending generally from Highway 71B in Benton County to Highway 72 South. The project involves the initial two lanes of a four-lane facility and a roundabout at Highway 71B.

Updates:

• Construction Overview
  Two-lane highway on new alignment
  Becket Road and Tanyard Creek bridge
  McKisic Creek bridge
  Miller Church Road overpass
  Arthur Road (Punkin Hollow) overpass
  Peach Orchard Road overpass
  Roundabout at Highway 71B
  The Bella Vista Bypass opened to traffic in May 2017

• Bypass Opens
  The Bella Vista Bypass opened to traffic in May 2017. The completed two-lane section connects U.S. Highway 71B to State Highway 72, as well as previously constructed portions of the bypass. Motorists in western Benton County, southwestern Bella Vista and Gravette can travel from I-49 to Benton County Road 34 (12.1 miles) without a stoplight.

• Educational Meeting
  The Arkansas Department of Transportation (formerly AHTD) conducted two educational public meetings in November 2016 on how to navigate the Bella Vista Interim Modified Connector (Roundabout) for U.S. Highways 71, 71B, and State Highway 549 in Benton County. Meeting materials are available here.

• Public Information
  A public informational meeting was held in Bentonville October 23, 2014 to educate the public about the Bella Vista Bypass interim modified connector (that will be constructed at Highway 71 and Highway 71B - intersection of I-49 and new Bella Vista Bypass). Meeting materials are available here.

• Bid Opening
  Bids were opened by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (formerly AHTD) in February 2014. The Arkansas State Highway Commission approved a bid for improvements by Kolb Grading and awarded the project for $52,605,673.
• A contract-signing ceremony and luncheon was held April 16, 2014 to celebrate the first-awarded CAP project. It was hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Council.

Schedule:

View CA0904 Project Map

Job CA0905 County Road 34 – Missouri State Line
This project constructed approximately 2.5 miles of the four-lane Bella Vista Bypass, extending generally from County Road 34 in Benton County to the Missouri state line. The construction schedule was coordinated with the Missouri Department of Transportation's timeline to construct its section of the bypass.

Updates:

• Construction Overview
  - Constructed 2.5 miles of four-lane new highway
  - Constructed bridges over Edinburgh Road and Highlands Boulevard / County Road 21
  - Constructed an interchange with County Road 34
  - Will connect with Missouri's portion of the highway
  - Constructed drainage structures
  - Construction substantially complete in October 2020
  
• Bid Opening
  ARDOT opened contractor bids in July 2019 and the Arkansas State Highway Commission approved a bid for improvements by Emery Sapp & Sons and awarded the project for $35.5 million. Construction is estimated to take a year to complete once the contractor mobilizes and begins work.

Schedule:

View CA0905 Project Map