A recent study by the Arkansas Transportation Department examined existing and future traffic along Bella Vista Way, also known as U.S. 71, in Bella Vista.
The alternatives that include construction assume completion of the Bella Vista Bypass by 2040.
No-Build Alternative
No modifications would occur other than continued maintenance.
Alternative 1 -- Safety, Operational Improvements
Safety improvements would be implemented at selected intersections: Benton County 40, Mercy Way, Oldham Drive, Kingsland Road, Trafalgar Road, Wellington Road and Hampstead Road.
Improvements would involve realigning right-turn approaches to provide shorter, more perpendicular and channelized turns, as well as U-turn accommodations at Kingsland Road and Trafalgar Road.
Basic operational improvements, such as signal timing and coordination improvements, would be implemented.
The total estimated cost is estimated at $1.4 million, of which $1 million is the construction cost.
Alternative 2 -- Safety Improvements, Eastern Connection
The safety improvements identified in Alternative 1 would be implemented. Connecting roadway would be constructed to enhance north-south mobility for the eastern portion of Bella Vista. A new interchange would be constructed on Interstate 49 at the Northeast J Street in Bentonville.
For the purposes of the study, it was assumed this route would connect Northeast J Street at Interstate 49 with Spanker Creek Road, which is essentially an extension of Benton County 40.
The total estimated cost is $32 million, of which $25.7 million is the construction cost.
Alternative 3 -- Safety Improvements, Auxiliary Lanes
The safety improvements identified in Alternative 1 would be implemented.
A southbound auxiliary lane on U.S. 71 would be constructed beginning approximately 1,500 feet north of the Benton County 40 intersection and ending at the U.S. 71 southbound ramp, a total of 0.70 miles.
A northbound auxiliary lane would also be needed between I-49 and Benton County 40.
The total estimated cost is $4.2 million, of which $3.1 million is the construction cost.
Alternative 4 -- Combine alternatives 1, 2 and 3
Alternative 4 would encompass all the improvements of the other three alternatives. Intersection safety improvements, an eastern connection with a new interchange at Northeast J Street and auxiliary lanes on U.S. 71 would all be constructed.
The total estimated cost is $34.8 million, of which $27.8 million is the construction cost.
Source: Arkansas Department of Transportation
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NW News on 12/31/2017