Notice to Media

Another Mile of Pine Bluff Bypass Opens to Traffic

LITTLE ROCK (10-27) – Motorists in Pine Bluff will now have the use of one more mile of the Pine Bluff Bypass as the section from Highway 79 eastward to Old Warren Road opened to traffic Tuesday, October 27, 1998.

Highway Commissioner John "M" Lipton and Highway and Transportation Department Director Dan Flowers were on hand Tuesday afternoon to move barricades to open the new section of highway.

"This is another milestone toward the completion of the entire bypass," Lipton noted. "Even this one-mile stretch will make a big difference for people in this area. We look forward to opening the road over to Highway 15 by the middle of next year." The entire bypass is to be completed by the middle of the year 2000, Lipton added.

Work began on the 11-mile bypass project in late 1988, according to Flowers. Steady progress has been made since that time, highlighted by the opening of the first 4.2 miles from Highway 65 to Highway 79 in 1996. Twelve contracts totaling nearly $90 million have been awarded to date. All the work is now underway, and no more contracts will be needed before completion.

"What makes this project even more exciting is the fact that, upon completion in the year 2000, this route will be designated I-530," Lipton said. "The I-530 designation will begin in Little Rock at the I-30/I440/U.S. 65 interchange and continue south along U. S. 65 to Pine Bluff, including the Pine Bluff Bypass."

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For Further Information Contact:

Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
10324 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR 72209
Tel: 501-569-2000
FAX: 501-569-2400
e-mail:

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