Originally expected to wrap up in 2027, Phase II work on the Springdale Bypass is currently ahead of schedule. Construction is now expected to be finished this fall.

"Completing the second phase of the Springdale Bypass is a big accomplishment for the Arkansas Department of Transportation [ARDOT] and northwest Arkansas," ARDOT director Jared Wiley told Construction Equipment Guide. "This seven-mile stretch of the bypass will not only connect Highway 412 West to Highway 112, but it will also link the new four-lane Northwest Arkansas National Airport connector directly to Northwest Arkansas' freeway system. The airport has seen tremendous growth, and now air travelers will be able to reach their destination much more quickly."

Phase II construction, totaling approximately $181 million, began in spring 2024. When asked by Construction Equipment Guide about the main concerns on the project, ARDOT spokesman Dave Parker said, "Phase II work contained many of the normal challenges that we often face, from right-of-way acquisition to relocating utilities. Thankfully, all parties involved were able to work together and make this project come together well."

ARDOT photo

According to Parker, some local traffic has been affected by the planned 65-day shutdown and reroute of the new Javello alignment.

"There are other local short-term impacts due to material delivery, utility relocations and upgrades to local side streets, as well as the permanent closures of Millsap and Kelly, having been severed by the bypass. The greatest impact would be to the existing 412 lanes throughout the reconfiguring and lane shifts to construct the new 612/412 interchange on the west side of Tontitown."

Parker noted that when building a four-lane divided interstate, safety is always the top priority.

"For a project like this, where profit is tied to a massive amount of labor and equipment, time is the critical factor. The contractor wants to move fast, to approach the work in a way that minimizes downtime and minimizes fuel use. The schedule is constantly tweaked. Long workdays and large equipment can present challenges to worker safety."

The project was awarded to Emery Sapp & Sons Inc., which is headquartered in Columbia, Mo. Ongoing Phase II construction includes work on multiple bridges, ditch paving, pipe installations, asphalt work, seeding, mulching and solid sodding throughout. Traffic camera hardware and overhead signs also are being installed.

Parker explained that earthwork has already been completed. By late March, all 15 bridges were finished.

ARDOT photo

"ARDOT takes pride in the design and construction of each individual bridge. We consider them long-standing monuments. Each individual bridge has details relating to construction that field personnel worked with on the contractors to complete."

Eight of the structures are prestressed concrete girder units, while the other seven are plate web girder span units. Nine bridges contain horizontal curves, vertical curves and superelevations that require precise construction control and engineering oversite through bridge grades and double checking.

"With 7613 A&B over Hwy 68, we had a lot of utilities in the way for these two bridges, as well as three addendums to the plans. Through careful mitigation, we were able to construct the end bents prior to utility relocations and worked with MRB on completing these two bridges the day the last utility was clear.

"On 7614 Liberty Avenue, subsurface discovery of deeper limestone presented a challenge, while 7615 A&B over Javello Road had complications because the contractor only had 65 days to open the new Javello routing. We had to finish substructures that were in line with the old Javello Road, while completing a sextuple box culvert and completing rock fill, embankment and a new roadway to department standards."

The project calls for roughly 3.2 million cu. yds. of excavation and 3.1 million cu. yds. of embankment, along with 187,826 tons of asphalt paving and 394,089 tons of Class 7 base course, all from local sources.

"Crews were fortunate to have very good material on site," said Parker. "Outside of normal early site work efforts, this unique area had some small obstacles to deal with, such as a few hundred tires discovered during the clearing and grubbing portion of work."

Parker also noted that, for the most part, crews have been fortunate as far as the weather.

"Looking ahead, I don't expect it to fully affect construction. Our contractors are prepared to mitigate by working Saturdays and switching to night operations as needed."

Not surprisingly, a variety of heavy machinery is being used on site.

ARDOT photo

"In full swing for earthwork, we had so many dozers, rollers and scrapers working sunup to sundown," said Parker. "It was amazing to see. There are now only four cranes left on site. We still have standard equipment, such as trackhoes, backhoes, slipforming machines, graders and water trucks."

As for the two remaining phases of construction, utility relocation is under way on Phase III (I-49 to Hwy. 265), with bids for construction expected later this year. Phase IV, which will link Highway 265 with Highway 412 East, is under development and will likely be shovel ready by 2028, should funding become available.

With Phase II inching toward the finish line, Wiley is looking forward to the official ribbon cutting.

"The completion of Phase II means that over half of the 21-mile Springdale Bypass will be open to drivers. Due to Congress, the western half of the Springdale Bypass has been designated as Future Interstate 42. Adding another 12 miles to Arkansas' growing interstate system is a big win for the region and the state." CEG