LITTLE ROCK (8-16) 

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD), in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration, has completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for Highway 265 improvements in Fayetteville , from Highway 45 ( Mission Boulevard ) to the city limits. 

     After consideration of the information contained in the EA and the comments received at the May 9^th, 2007, Location and Design Public Hearing, the AHTD has identified Alternative H-1 as the Preferred Alternative.  Alternative H-1 is a design that will consist of four travel lanes and a landscaped center median, with bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides of the roadway.

     This alternative meets the primary purpose and need of the project by adequately carrying the corridor’s projected traffic volumes and should thereby satisfy the needs of the area for the next twenty years.  Alternative H-1 would require only minimal amounts of new right of way, should not require the relocation of any businesses or personal properties, had the highest number of supporting comments from the public, support from the City of Fayetteville and support from the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC).                                                                

     The next step will be the development of an Access Management Pl an to determine the final median brea k locations, which will be a coordinated effort between the AHTD, the City of F a y e t t e v i l l e and the NWARPC.  

     A public meeting will be held to present any design changes associated with this project’s Access Pl an.  The AHTD will then request approval from the Federal Highway Administration in order to proceed with right of way acquisition and construction of the proposed improvements as funds become available.

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