Pulaski Times

Earlier this month, the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) announced the official designation of U.S. Highway 67 between Little Rock and Walnut Ridge as Interstate 57. This development marks a significant milestone in improving and modernizing Arkansas's transportation infrastructure.

The project is seen as an indicator of progress in enhancing interstate-grade corridors, which are considered crucial for economic development and raising living standards. The effort to better connect Arkansas with the rest of the country has been ongoing, with major strides made in recent years.

In Congress, funding for transportation infrastructure projects has been delivered through recent annual appropriations bills. The allocations include $67 million for I-49 construction, $5 million for Highway 82 improvements, $8 million for Highway 412 corridor enhancements, and $6 million for a portion of I-57 construction. These investments aim to expedite construction and bring more investment opportunities to communities along these routes.

Redesignating Highway 67 into Interstate 57 is part of a vision to ensure abundant regional and national connections. It is expected that corridor communities will benefit from regional partnerships and attract industries that offer new jobs or expand operations due to improved accessibility to major markets.

The effort to designate I-57 dates back to 1956 when U.S. Highway 67 construction began. Persistent support has led to significant progress over the years. Local leaders and stakeholders have played an instrumental role in this achievement.

The team effort across all levels of government received key support from ARDOT and the Federal Highway Administration. The Arkansas Congressional Delegation relied on these relationships to advance projects like I-57 through various approvals and applications.

The continued modernization and upgrades to roadways aim to link Arkansas to more travel and economic opportunities. With the I-57 designation, Arkansas is closer than ever to directly connecting its farms, factories, and travelers to destinations such as Chicago and Dallas.

"I-57 is much more than an infrastructure investment," stated a spokesperson involved in the project. "It represents our commitment to developing our state’s transportation capacity and potential for many years to come."