The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) a $24.9 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant.
ARDOT will use the funding for the Corning Bypass, a 4-mile, four-lane highway that bypasses U.S. Highway 67 on the west side of Corning. The project will include two interchanges with U.S. Highway 67. When completed, it will provide an alternate route for commercial trucks around Corning’s downtown business district.
The project is part of a larger, multistate effort to complete Future Interstate 57 between Walnut Ridge, Ark., and Poplar Bluff, Mo.
“This transportation grant funding will be used to assist ARDOT as we work to complete the missing link in the transportation network that will ultimately connect the Little Rock metropolitan area with Chicago via an Interstate highway,” ARDOT Director Jared D. Wiley said. “When complete, the Interstate 57 Corridor will improve mobility and enhance economic development for our state and the region.”
Five other Arkansas recipients also were awarded RAISE grants including $25 million to the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission to construct side paths along 17.5-miles of Highway 112 and nearly $25 million to the city of Fort Smith to construct 9.3 miles of active transportation facilities.