Notice to Media

I-69 Mississippi River Crossing Public Information

Meeting Draws Large Crowd

LITTLE ROCK (3-20) – A large crowd of more than 175 people was on hand for a public information meeting concerning the proposed I-69 crossing of the Mississippi River near McGehee, according to Arkansas Highway Commission Chairman John "M" Lipton of Warren.

The meeting, held March 13 in McGehee, included a series of exhibits illustrating the I-69 corridor. Exhibits showed the general area where the new Interstate may cross the Mississippi and a likely crossing for I-69 at the planned Great River Bridge, which is currently under design. The Great River Bridge is located near the cities of Arkansas City and McGehee, Arkansas.

Other exhibits included maps showing possible Interstate highway alignments leading to and from the bridge, and schematics of how the Mississippi River Crossing might connect to the rest of I-69 on the west and north. The exhibits also provided information on the features that might impact highway alignments – including impacts on the community, residences, businesses, historic sites, environmental concerns and current land uses.

“This meeting is a very important opportunity to share information about the project. We want people to understand what options are under consideration and for them to provide their input on those options. It’s good to see so many people interested in the project and willing to take time to share their thoughts,” Lipton said.

Public input will be incorporated into the evaluation of the possible alignment alternatives. Later this year, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be published. That document will present an evaluation of the potential highway alignments and provide information on which alignment appears best. The Draft EIS will be made available for a 45-day public review period.

During that period, public hearings will be held to collect any comments on the recommendations in that document. The EIS process will culminate in a Record of Decision (ROD) from the Federal Highway Administration, which will select the best alignment for the I-69 Mississippi River Crossing and will allow the project to continue to move forward.

Last week’s meeting participants were invited to provide their written comments or tape recorded remarks to the study team.

Requests for additional information about the project, or input on possible alignments should be sent to: I-69 Mississippi River Crossing, HNTB - Betty Burry, 1201 Walnut, Suite 700, Kansas City, MO 64106. An identical public information meeting was also held in Benoit, Mississippi on March 14, 2001.

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