NW Arkansas Transportation (Little Rock, Fayetteville, Benton: how much, dangerous, relocating)

[MJ1986]

I will be relocating down to NW Ark within a few months.
Why isn't 540 expanded? When will the Bella Vista bypass be completed?
I'm curious on the responses...

[thewizard16]

The first answer is "money". It's been discussed for a while, the state has recognized expansion and improvement of I-540 as a priority (it was built as a bypass, but is now a main artery and is certainly inadequate in parts of NWA), but they've had even worse interstates/traffic in Little Rock that's been a priority for longer that is finally getting worked on. I imagine it will still be some time before 540 is widened and expanded, but the new census numbers might help the area more effectively lobby for highway dollars.
The second answer is "eventually". The NWARPC has tried to be very creative in looking for ways to pay for the Bella Vista Bypass, and I think eventually they'll get the ball rolling on something, but it is a very expensive project that people outside of NWA (and people that drive from Kansas City south to I-40, or between I-40 and I-44) probably don't realize is even important. It will be an important step (arguably one of the most significant obstacles remaining) towards the expansion and long term completion of I-49 though, so you'd think there'd be more commitment to it.

[Gallbaro]

Originally Posted by MJ1986

I will be relocating down to NW Ark within a few months.
Why isn't 540 expanded? When will the Bella Vista bypass be completed?
I'm curious on the responses...

Because there are only 500,000 people here?

The highway has enough capacity.

[73-79 ford fan]

540 is terribly congested and at many times dangerous to drive on in Washington and Benton counties. It should have been built with six lanes right from the start. The worsening economy probably dosen't help the funding for badly needed roads and upgrades around here too.

[SwingVote08]

I really think 540 adequately serves the area. I know many disagree but I've seen what it's like outside the state of Arkansas in many similarly-sized areas and larger metro areas...and we have it good, trust me.

The thing that irks me is, yes, the lack of the connection thru (well around) Bella Vista. I'm not sure why this was never put in, especially since Bella Vista was set up as a retirement community. I'm sure retired folks didn't really like the idea of semi trucks driving thru their little community just to get from Ft. Smith to Springfield.

I'm guessing they saved a lot of money back in the day by not trying to re-route around Bella Vista. There's a lot of decent-sized lakes around the area, tons of hill, etc. Bridges galore would be needed and would add up fast. Just think of how much the Ft. Smith to Fayetteville connection probably cost. But at least it was in high demand. To suffer slowing down to 45mph for 5 miles (if that) in Bella Vista really doesn't stop you from hating taking that route north...even though it's really the only route north!

Also, Google has finally updated and GPS systems are coming around to updating the fact that the bypass has finally been re-routed around Pineville and Anderson, MO to the north. Missouri paid for that obviously but it helps NWArkansans out a lot when commuting north to KC, St. Louis, and beyond. WIth this bit now in place, I don't see much incentive to finally finish the task of bypassing Bella Vista until the community grows more. Even then, despite the congestion that may evolve in Bella Vista, how many cars are really traveling north out of Arkansas on a daily basis. Not too many. It's a pretty open road - once you pass Mac*A*Doodle's