Hundreds of people, including federal, state and area leaders, gathered on a hot Friday (Sept. 4) to celebrate the completion of $400 million in interstate-style highway projects spanning Benton and Washington counties. One project is part of the first segment of Interstate 42 to open in Arkansas.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation opened Arkansas Highway 642 and I-42 to traffic after a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the westbound lanes of I-42 at the interchange with Highway 642.
The projects include a 4-mile connector to Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), or Highway 642, and the 7-mile second phase of the Springdale Northern Bypass. The completed first and second phases of the bypass comprise I-42. Both I-42 and Highway 642 are new to Arkansas. ARDOT Director Jared Wiley spoke in front of the two slightly larger-than-average highway signs, new to the state…