Contact: Krista Sides
NR 20-353
November 18, 2020

BENTON COUNTY (11-18) – Construction to build the new Highway 549 (Bella Vista Bypass)
interchange with Highway 71 and Interstate 49 in Bentonville requires overnight lane closures
on I-49, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials.

Weather permitting, crews will alternately close the inside and outside lanes of southbound I-49
just south of the Bella Vista Bypass interchange. Lanes will be closed during overnight hours for
saw cutting operations to construct the new southbound I-49 acceleration lane. Closures will
take place on the following dates:

• Friday, November 20 | 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Monday, November 23 – Tuesday, November 24 | 8:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.

Traffic will be controlled by signage, construction barrels, and police enforcement. 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.