BENTON COUNTY (09-11) – Rock blasting to build the new Highway 549 (Bella Vista Bypass)
interchange with Highway 71 and Interstate 49 in Bentonville requires lane closures, according
to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials.

Weather permitting, crews will perform rock blasting operations Monday, September 14 to
Friday, September 18 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. During the blasting, crews will
temporarily stop traffic for up to 15 minutes as a safety precaution in the area of the interchange
on Interstate 49, Highway 71, Highway 549 (Bella Vista Bypass), and Walton Boulevard.

Watch for warning signs and safety personnel during the work. The public is advised to be
cautious when traveling in the work zone and watch for slower traffic speeds.

This project (Job CA0903) is part of ARDOT’s Connecting Arkansas Program and includes
constructing approximately 2.8 miles of roadway with bridge structures on U.S. Highway 549,
including a new Bella Vista Bypass interchange with U.S. Highway 71 in Bentonville. More
information on this $66.6 million project is available at ConnectingArkansasProgram.com.

Drivers should exercise caution when approaching and traveling through all highway work
zones. Additional travel information can be found at IDriveArkansas.com or ARDOT.gov. You can
also follow us on Twitter @myARDOT.

Contact: Krista Sides
NR 20-266