The completion of Interstate 49 in western Arkansas will be vital to creating economic prosperity according to an Arkansas House of Representative resolution delivered to federal government officials.
State Rep. John Maddox (R-District 20) was successful in introducing and passing a house resolution, HR1018 during the recent session of the 91st General Assembly regarding I-49.
The resolution encourages the expansion of the I-49 North-South corridor to improve accessibility and create economic prosperity, according to a news story written by Leann Dilbeck and published by the Polk County Pulse News in Mena.
The resolution was adopted and a copy will be provided to the Arkansas congressional delegation with the intent to encourage support of federal funds being delegated to the completion of I-49.
"This resolution informs the federal government that the State of Arkansas deems the completion of I-49 from Fort Smith to Texarkana as vital for the economic viability and long term growth of all of the communities on the I-49 corridor," Maddox said.
Passing the resolution continues to bring attention to the project and helps the public to understand the need to complete the interstate, says Curt Green of Texarkana, president of the I-49 International Coalition.
"Everybody needs to be reminded what I-49 can do for the state. It's easy to forget in central and eastern Arkansas, but the acknowledgment is important," Green said.
He said 85 percent of the interstate is complete from New Orleans to Canada and the biggest uncompleted gap is located in western Arkansas.
"We keep chipping away and we're trying to keep everyone's eye on the ball. We've got to complete it before we realize the full economic benefits," Green said.
"It's so close. We will have dramatic potential coming out of Texas and Louisiana when it's completed. It's hard to grasp the growth when I-49 is complete," he said.
"We're doing our best as cheerleaders to help finish the thing," Green said.
I-49 International Coalition Executive Director Gard Wayt commended Maddox and the Arkansas House of Representatives who supported the resolution.
"We commend Rep. John Maddox for his vision and leadership in bringing this issue to his colleagues in the legislature," Wayt said.
"We also commend him and his colleagues for recognizing the great economic benefit the completion of this north-south interstate through Arkansas will bring not only to the entire state of Arkansas but to all of Mid-America from Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans," he said.
"The final pieces of a 1,700 mile trade and travel corridor open new opportunities for tourism, trade and travel through the heartland of America to and from everywhere in the world by way of the ports of the gulf coast and through the expanding Panama Canal," Wayt said according to the Polk County Pulse News.
Slightly more than 200 miles of interstate highway development remain to complete the 1,700 mile corridor from New Orleans to Winnipeg, Canada.
The highway, providing safer transportation and directly affecting 12 states, is expected to expand economic development including jobs, business opportunities, and tourism development.
"Passage of HR1018 brings the important additional influence and prestige of the Arkansas Legislature to support the 100 plus members of the I-49 International Coalition in Arkansas, Missouri and Louisiana who are working to bring attention to the need to finish this 'High Priority #1 Interstate' from Kansas City to New Orleans," Wayt said.
"We will publicize the passage of the resolution up and down the I-49 corridor among our members and supporters, and in all the states from Canada to the Gulf Coast who will benefit economically from the completion of I-49. It will be encouraging to all those involved to know they have the support of Arkansas' political leaders," Wayt said.
The resolution is crucial said Gar Eisele, a business owner and board member of both ARCO (Arkansas Regional Coalition of the Ouachitas) and the I-49 International Coalition.
"There's nothing that can bring prosperity to this part of the state more than the completion of I-49. It's time that all of these discussions actually turn in to results. Everyone acknowledges the need and the importance, but we need strong leaders like Maddox willing to push for the federal monies to complete this project and transform it from a vision to a reality for the people of west central Arkansas," Eisele said.