The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) has identified a new Preferred Alternative Alignment through the Pottsville area for the Russellville Bypass.  The original alternative alignments were previously evaluated and the results were documented in an Environmental Assessment (EA) released for public dissemination in January 2004.  From the EA analysis and comments at the public meetings, the AHTD chose a Preferred Alternative Alignment.   A Design Public Hearing for the Preferred Alternative Alignment was held on March 1, 2005, in Pottsville. 

A Value Engineering Study (VES) was completed in December 2005 as mandated by the National Highway System Act of 1995 for projects costing $25 million or more.  The VES supported the AHTD’s previous selection of the Preferred Alternative Alignment on the western end of the project.  However, the VES identified a revised new location alignment in the Pottsville area that minimized costs while providing the needed improvements.  Using updated environmental impact information and cost estimates, the AHTD has identified a revised alignment that satisfies the VES concept while minimizing environmental impacts.  This revised alignment, which is now the Preferred Alternative Alignment, will include a local connector road from the bypass across Pine Ridge Road to Apache Drive.

The AHTD will now revise the EA to document this revised Preferred Alternative Alignment and its associated impacts and conduct a Location and Design Public Hearing for this revised alignment in early 2007.