History Interstate 49 in Arkansas

two bridges carry i-49 on valley in boston mountains

the state of arkansas asked aashto allow interstate segment between fort smith , bentonville named i-49, emphasize plans extend route shreveport, louisiana through arkansas kansas city, missouri. aashto refused, , route opened in 1999 northern extension of i-540. ahtd conducted feasibility study of adding interchange @ highway 162 in van buren in 1991, results adopted arkansas state highway commission in 1992. arkansas state highway commission (ashc) studied designation i-540 between mountainburg , fayetteville arkansas scenic byway in meeting on november 17, 1998. 1 of requirements of designation active organization composed of various private , governmental groups, businesses, , agencies interested in preservation, enhancement, marketing, , development of route s scenic, cultural, recreational, , historic qualities, . ashc deemed since highway new location route, did not have sufficient businesses satisfy requirement, ashc deemed partner organization , proceeded designation study. route added scenic byway system following year.

as of june 2014, interstate 540 interstate 49 between i-40 in alma , us-71b in bentonville south of missouri border.

the plan i-49 became official on december 12, 2012. decided follow arkansas highway 549 latter route being eliminated. north extension i-30 71 / 59 finished on may 15, 2013. route louisiana border completed , opened on november 10, 2014.