I-69 PROJECT
Monticello Bypass Project Facts:
The Monticello Bypass is a nearly 20-mile new location of highway that is within the Future Interstate 69 route. Specifically, it is in the section of independent utility (SIU) from Highway 82 west of El Dorado to Highway 65 near McGehee.
Phase I is for the grading and structures work of the eastern segment from Highway 425 south of town to Highway 278 east. Two lanes of the ultimate four-lane Interstate will be constructed under a $13,159,488.54 contract with Southern Industrial Contractors of Rayville, LA. A completion date is not estimated at this time.
The first section is just over eight miles. The base of surfacing of this section will be scheduled as the grading and structures work nears completion.
The western section of the Bypass is approximately 11 miles from Highway 425 south of town westward to Highway 278 and will complete the project. There is not a scheduled date at this time.
Future Interstate 69 Project Facts:
Future Interstate 69 is approximately 2,730 miles long and connects Port Huron, in northern Michigan, to the southern border of Texas, below Laredo. It is estimated to cost $30 billion to complete I-69. Sections in MI, IN, KY, TN and MS are already completed and open to traffic.
Future I-69 in Arkansas includes three federally-approved records of decisions (RODS) which identify routes for construction: 1) Mississippi River Crossing (including the Great River Bridge) to Highway 65 north of McGehee; 2) Highway 65 to Highway 82 west of El Dorado; and 3) El Dorado to I-20 in Shreveport.
A total of 185 miles of I-69 in Arkansas is estimated to cost $3.6 billion and includes the Interstate 530 connection from Pine Bluff to Highway 278 near Wilmar, and the Arkansas portion of the Great River Bridge.