Planning Studies

Planning Studies

Select a current study below for a quick summary. For additional information, contact the Project Planning Section at (501) 569-2207.

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Craighead County – Interstate 555 Corridor Study

Craighead County is one of Arkansas’s fastest-growing counties, with much of this growth occurring south and west of Interstate 555 (I-555).  As this growth is expected to continue, it is important to plan now for tomorrow’s transportation needs.  To this end, the Department is conducting a long-range planning study of this area.

This study seeks to identify current problems and to anticipate future problems along the I-555 corridor (including cross-streets).  The corridor will be reviewed in terms of safety, mobility/congestion, maintenance, and multimodal performance.  Once problems are identified, improvement alternatives will be developed to address these needs.  This study will become the vision for I-555 over the next twenty years.

Craighead County – South and West Connector Study

Craighead County is one of Arkansas’s fastest-growing counties, with much of this growth occurring south and west of Interstate 555 (I-555).  As this growth is expected to continue, it is important to plan now for tomorrow’s transportation needs.  To this end, the Department is conducting a long-range planning study of this area.

This study seeks to understand the need for roadway connectivity to the south and west of I-555.  This need will be reviewed in terms of connectivity/mobility, safety, maintenance, multimodal performance, and economic competitiveness.

Sebastian County – Highway 64 Study

The Highway 64 Study will evaluate what is needed to improve the State Highway System in and surrounding downtown Fort Smith. The Study will also propose methods to address recommended improvements including the feasibility of constructing a new Highway 64 river crossing. Recommendations will aim to reduce the negative impacts of large trucks traveling through downtown and to ease conflicts between trucks and other travel movements. The Study will consider “no-build” and bypass alternatives for their ability to produce safety and connectivity benefits throughout the day, and to reduce traffic congestion impacts during peak travel periods. The Study will analyze the current year (2022) and design year (2045) for each alternative.