The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) has completed a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the Springdale Bypass, according to AHTD Director Dan Flowers. 

     Public Hearings were held on June 28 and 29, 2004, to take comments from the public on the SDEIS.  The AHTD has identified the northernmost alignment as the preferred route (see map).  This decision is based upon review of the impacts outlined in the SDEIS, consultation with other agencies including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and consideration of public comments collected throughout the environmental review process. 

     The next step in project development for the Springdale Bypass will be to perform surveys and more detailed environmental work for the preferred alternative as part of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).  Once a draft of the FEIS has been completed, it will be published for resource agency and public comment.  After the comments have been addressed, the FEIS will be submitted to the FHWA for their approval and issuance of a Record of Decision (ROD) in the route location.  Once the ROD is issued, the AHTD will proceed with design work, and will hold a Design Public Hearing in the area upon the completion of preliminary design.

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