Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
By Ron Wood January 31, 2022
States’ plans call for freeway standards
FAYETTEVILLE -- A portion of U.S. 412 in Arkansas and Oklahoma has been officially designated a future interstate on the National Highway System.
Connecting Northwest Arkansas and north central Oklahoma with an interstate highway will encourage economic development along the corridor and expand opportunities for employment in the region, according to officials in both states. Others say it would improve supply chain connectivity and make travel between the areas safer.
The portion lies between Interstate 35 in Noble County, Okla., and Interstate 49 in Springdale. Congress made the designation in the new infrastructure bill. The future interstate designation authorizes the U.S. Department of Transportation to add segments of the corridor to the interstate system when certain criteria are met.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has commissioned a study and hopes to begin work on it in August, according to T.J. Gerlach, a department spokesman. They will work with the Arkansas Department of Transportation on the Arkansas portion, Gerlach said.
View the full article: NWAOnline.com
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