The widening of U.S. 62 from Avoca to Garfield is on time and on budget, Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department officials said.
The 6-mile stretch of highway is being widened from two lanes to five lanes, said Steve Lawrence, the state Highway and Transportation Department District 9 engineer. He said the $23.3 million project is set to be completed by September.
A 1.7-mile stretch in front of Pea Ridge National Military Park may be completed by the end of December if weather permits, Lawrence said. He said cold weather could delay the project.
The new section of highway is routed about 420 feet south of its current location in front of the national park, Lawrence said.
Lawrence said the land where the current highway runs will be turned over to the park after construction.
Brenda Waters, Pea Ridge National Military Park superintendent, said the park plans to use the land as a buffer.
"It will give us a much quieter landscape," Waters said. "Our plan is to leave it as natural as possible and allow it to fill in. It will be a much nicer experience."
The park also plans to build a new entrance and expand its parking lot, Waters said.
"Our parking lot is not set up for the large RV and school buses we sometimes get," Waters said.
Work at the park will be completed with the least inconvenience to visitors, Waters said. She said this will include the park remaining open during construction.
Waters said a public hearing will be held before the park moves forward with plans for the property. She said the hearing will be scheduled in 2015 after the section of the highway is complete.
U.S. 62 was expanded to five lanes from Rogers to Avoca in 2004. Another 4.4-mile expansion to five lanes from Garfield to Gateway has been proposed.
Metro on 11/29/2014