BELLA VISTA (9-28) – Everyone is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting event for the completion of the Bella Vista Bypass in Northwest Arkansas, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials.

On Thursday, September 30 at 10:00 a.m. Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Missouri Governor Mike Parson will join ARDOT and MODOT officials, Highway Commissioners, Legislators, and news media at the Arkansas-Missouri border to celebrate a ribbon-cutting on this project. To find the event location, please see attached map.  

Arkansas, Missouri, and federal transportation officials have discussed the necessity of a Bella Vista Bypass for more than 25 years. This roadway will become part of Interstate 49, a high-priority corridor. The completion of this project links 265 miles of Interstate between Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Kansas City, Missouri.

“It is with great pleasure and pride that we have completed this important project that constructed the final link of I-49 between Fort Smith and Kansas City,” said ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor. “This is an achievement that will benefit everyone in this region of the nation.  It will be a great celebration!”   

Construction consisted of six projects totaling over $220 million beginning in February 2011.

The newly constructed highway will open to the public on Friday, October 1.

Travel information can be found at IDriveArkansas.com or ARDOT.gov. You can also follow us on Twitter @IDriveArkansas for traffic and @myARDOT for everything else.

-End-