The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department will break ground next week on one of the largest transportation projects in state history.
Local leaders will join AHTD officials at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 15 at the site of the new U.S. 412 Bypass of Springdale. The event will be held just west of the Appleblossom Road underpass of Interstate 49 in Lowell.
At a cost of $100.6 million, proceeds from the half-cent statewide sales tax approved by Arkansas voters in 2012 are being used to finance the four-lane, divided highway between Interstate 49 and Arkansas 112.
The new section of highway, which is part of a larger Springdale Northern Bypass that will someday take motorists around the city, will cover about 4.5 miles. The first section won’t be complete until 2020.
Regional leaders view the overall project, which is not fully funded, as one of Northwest Arkansas’ highest priorities.
Speakers at next week’s ground breaking will include Scott Bennett, the director of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department; State Highway Commissioner Dick Trammel; and Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse.
