ARDOT selected to receive $25 million Federal RAISE Grant for I-49

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded a $25 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT).
The funding provided by this RAISE grant will be used toward the construction of a 14mile extension of Interstate 49 (I-49) in Crawford and Sebastian Counties between Highway 22 in Barling and Interstate 40 in Alma.
“The I-49 extension will provide improved regional mobility that will converge with the Arkansas River and several Class 1 Railroads,” ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor said. “I want to express my sincere thanks to the USDOT for recognizing the value of this project, as well as Arkansas’ Congressional Delegation for their support and advocacy in acquiring this very important funding.”
The I-49 extension will be a four-lane interstate highway and will include a bridge over the Arkansas River and interchanges at Highway 22, Gun Club Road, Clear Creek Road, and Interstate 40. The I-49 extension will connect to previously constructed sections of I-49, advancing the completion of a National Highway System High Priority Corridor.
“I-49 is a critical artery to our state and nation. Investments in this corridor will help ensure we are more connected while strengthening economic growth and development,” U.S. Senator John Boozman said. “I’m pleased to support the RAISE grant and advocate for infrastructure improvements in Arkansas communities.”
The RAISE Discretionary Grant program provides funding for road, rail, transit, and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives.

“This funding will go to infrastructure projects that are critical to maintaining roads, trails, and railways in Arkansas. I’m pleased Senator Boozman, Congressman Womack, and I were able to secure the grants for these projects,” U.S. Senator Tom Cotton said.
The RAISE program is one of several competitive grant programs providing funding to communities across the country. During this funding cycle, the USDOT awarded $1.8 billion in grant funding for more than 148 projects across the country.
“I’m thrilled that $25 million in federal funding will go directly to Arkansas’ Third District to complete the vital I-49 expansion,” U.S. Representative Steve Womack said. “Thank you to the Arkansas Department of Transportation for their tireless work on this project, which will increase travel efficiency and safety while having long-term economic benefits for Arkansans. It’s an honor to have been a resource in this process along with Senators Boozman and Cotton.”
Two Arkansas cities also received RAISE grants during this funding cycle. The City of Searcy received a $4.2 million grant for an expansion of the existing 5.5-mile Searcy Bike Trail. The City of Siloam Springs received an $11.5 million grant for the restoration of Sager Creek Bridge and the revitalization of East Main Street.
Additional project information can be found on the attached fact sheet.