These three highway widening projects added lanes toward the median on each side of Interstate-49 and added a median barrier wall with bridges widened to three lanes of traffic plus shoulders. A total of 14 bridges were widened over a stretch of more than 12 miles. 

One job required special design of concrete median barriers over a landfill. One job required special wetland preservation with ditch treatment and seven detention ponds used to preserve habitat for the Ozark Cavefish. No right of way was needed in the two projects involving median lanes, but an additional right of way was required for detention ponds created to improve water quality along the highway in the third project.

The southern point of the three projects is just south of Johnson Mill Blvd in Fayetteville, and the end point is near New Hope Road in Rogers. The projects included 2-inch mill and inlay of the existing roadway. A Special Automated Work Zone Information System was used to notify motorists of potential delays while traveling through the project areas. 

These projects were part of the Connecting Arkansas Program. 

ACEC Arkansas Award Winner: Honor Award