ARDOT plans road projects for Highway 612, XNA, Springdale
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Arkansas Department of Transportation prepares to take on two major projects to make the commute easier to Northwest Arkansas National Airport and Springdale.
“I was happy about that. I’m glad they’re doing that,” said Edwin Hardesty, a commuter to the airport.
Hardesty commutes to XNA about six times a year.
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“It’s usually to drop off my wife or pick her up because she goes and visits the grandkids quite a bit, or we fly out somewhere for a vacation,” said Hardesty.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation plans to start on two major projects. The first is to create a connector road from Highway 612 to the airport. Although he uses another path to get to XNA, Hardesty thinks it’s a solid plan.
“But I do think that having better access to the airport will affect the community as a whole. I’m talking Washington and Benton County,” said Hardesty.
“The airport is showing tremendous growth. That’s wonderful for the area,” said Dave Parker, spokesperson for ARDOT.
He says the road will include four lanes creating a direct path from Highway 612 to XNA. This project will cost around $127 million. But for the other project, Parker says it’s been in the works for years.
“Highway 612, the Springdale Bypass. It’s long overdue. Gonna improve mobility, congestion, get people around a lot quicker, a lot easier in that area,” said Parker.
Parkers says this project is a 7-mile, $180 million project. He says he anticipates there not to be a big deal in traffic flow, but to stay alert.
As for Hardesty, he still feels confident in the projects ahead.
“I don’t think it’ll help or hurt because it’s so quick and easy to come down [Highway] 279 for me. So it’s just an easier way to get here,” said Hardesty.
Parker says construction for the Springdale bypass will start in the next few weeks. He says this project will take more than two years to wrap up.
Construction on the connector road from Highway 612 to the airport is set to begin this summer and is expected to be completed in early fall 2027.
Parker says there will be a groundbreaking for both projects set for April 17 at XNA.
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