A significant section of Arkansas 226 that connects Jonesboro to U.S. 67 will open today, according to the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. The eastern end that abuts Jonesboro will be open to four lane traffic, AHTD District 10 engineer Walter McMillan told Arkansas Business.
“This is a big step in the completion of the 226 project,” he said.
State officials opted several years ago to expand 226 to four lanes, shortening drive time from Jonesboro to Little Rock. It’s about 14 miles of roadway, according to estimates. The entire project is scheduled to be completed Aug. 11.
The western end of the roadway has to have another layer of asphalt laid before it can open, McMillan said.
The same day Arkansas 226 will be completed another major roadway in northeast Arkansas will be finished. The U.S. 67 bypass is expected to be ready by then, McMillan said.
“Our plan right now is to have a ribbon cutting for 67 in the morning and one for 226 that afternoon,” he said.
It’s the last 16 miles of four-lane highway from Walnut Ridge to Swifton that has to be completed. It’s not an interstate, but it has been built to interstate standards, McMillan said.
Once the the improvements are made, the drive times from Paragould, Hoxie, Walnut Ridge, and Pocahontas to and from Little Rock will be significantly reduced. It’s estimated drivers will save up to a half hour of drive time once the highway is opened.
U.S. 67 is a major thoroughfare for trucks moving goods from Chicago to New Orleans. The added lanes and higher traffic speeds will allow commerce to flow at a more efficient rate, McMillan said.
Other major road construction projects in the region are ongoing. Work continues on lane expansion along U.S. 63 near Black Rock, McMillan said. The expansion will tie into the recently built $40 million Black River bridge.
Work also continues on road expansion along U.S. 63 south of Mammoth Springs, and along the highway in Lawrence County.
The status of these projects has not been released. Attempts to reach AHTD District 5 engineer Bruce Street were unsuccessful.
McMillan said he’s satisfied with the work done on the road projects that are about to be finished. Once they open, these roads will enhance the quality of life for many more Arkansans, he said.
“Whenever we are able to complete a project it is very satisfying,” he said.
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