Arkansas Highway 612

Highway 612, known as the Springdale Northern Bypass, is the temporary designation of the future U.S. Route 412 (US 412) bypass around Springdale in the U.S. state of Arkansas. It currently consists of a four-lane freeway from a temporary at-grade intersection with Highway 112 south of Cave Springs to an interchange with Interstate 49 (I-49) at Lowell.

Highway 612 marker

Highway 612

Springdale Northern Bypass
Open segment as of 2023 in red
Route information
Maintained by ArDOT
Length4.8 mi[1][2] (7.7 km)
Existed2018–present
Major junctions
West end AR 112 in Springdale
East end I-49 / US 62 / US 71 near Lowell
Location
CountryUnited States
StateArkansas
CountiesBenton
Highway system
← I-555→ I-630

Once completed, the highway is planned to act as a bypass of US 412 around Springdale, relieving traffic and improving travel between the city and Northwest Arkansas National Airport. The highway is planned to be a four-lane Interstate-standard divided freeway. There is no funding to complete the bypass entirely.

Route description

As of 2023, Highway 612 begins at a partially completed diamond interchange with Highway 112 within the city limits of Springdale signed as exit 9. The two halves of the roadway come together and become a four-lane freeway (two lanes in each direction) traveling east. The highway crosses over Spring Creek and passes to the north of a quarry. The freeway currently ends at a partially completed stack interchange with I-49 and US 71 just outside the limits of Lowell.[1]

Once completed, Highway 612 is planned to run from an interchange with US 412 west of Tontitown to US 412 east of Sonora and just west of Beaver Lake. The route will run near the Northwest Arkansas National Airport and bypass Springdale to the north.

History

Construction of the highway began in April 2015 after getting funding through a 10-year, half-cent sales tax generated from a 2012 vote.[3] The highway cost $100.6 million and was the most expensive of 36 projects funded by the tax.[4] The first 4.5-mile (7.2 km) section was planned to be finished by mid-2019, but the entire route was completed a year ahead of schedule. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on April 18, 2018, and the highway officially opened to traffic on April 30.[2][5]

On October 18, 2018, Highway 612 was designated the "Springdale Officer John T. Hussey Memorial Highway" in honor of the Springdale Police Department officer kidnapped and killed after a traffic stop on December 21, 1975.[6]

Future

The remaining portions of the highway have no set dates of completion, due to the need for funding and for the acquisition of land by ArDOT. As funding for the project becomes available, the highway will be completed in sections.[7][8]

Some segments are in the planning phase. There is a plan to build one segment from I-49 to AR 265.[9] Another extension is planned from AR 112 to US 412 and make a new connection to the Northwest Arkansas National Airport.[10]

The portion of US 412 from I-49 in Springdale to I-35 in Noble County, Oklahoma is planned to become an interstate.[11]

On May 25, 2023, a ARDOT announced the proposal of a new north-south route to connect AR 612 near the Northwest Arkansas National Airport to the Bella Vista bypass (I-49) near Centerton.[12]

Exit list

The entire route is in Benton County.

Locationmi[1]kmExitDestinationsNotes
​0.0–
0.0		0.0–
0.0		1 US 412 – Siloam Springsproposed
​0.0–
0.0		0.0–
0.0		8XNA Access Road proposed; access to Northwest Arkansas National Airport
Springdale0.0–
0.4		0.0–
0.64		9 AR 112 – Elm Springs, Cave SpringsWestern end of AR 612
3.8–
4.8		6.1–
7.7		13 I-49 / US 62 / US 71 – Lowell, Springdale, FayettevilleExit 77 (I-49) future exit 263; Eastern end of AR 612
— US 71B (North Thompson Street)proposed
— AR 265 (Old Wire Road) – Springdaleproposed
​— US 412 – Huntsvilleproposed
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

References
  1. Google (December 19, 2019). "Arkansas Highway 612" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  2. Jones, Melissa (April 30, 2018). "Springdale Northern Bypass Opens to Traffic". 5News. Fort Smith, AR: KFSM-TV. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  3. Della Rosa, Jeff (April 18, 2018). "Crowd Welcomes Completion of $100 Million Section of US 412 Bypass". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  4. Northwest Arkansas Council (April 18, 2018). "New Highway Investment Will Improve Trip to XNA". Northwest Arkansas Council. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  5. Roberts, Adam (April 18, 2018). "Highway 612 in Springdale to Open April 30". 40/29 News. Fort Smith, AR: KHBS-TV. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  6. Joenks, Laurinda (October 19, 2018). "Highway honors fallen Springdale officer". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock, AR: WEHCO Media. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  7. Gilker, Kathryn (January 30, 2018). "Highway 412 Northern Bypass Nears Completion Ahead of Schedule". 5News. Fort Smith, AR: KFSM-TV. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  8. Wood, Ron (April 19, 2018). "Section of 412 Bypass Completed, Opens Soon". Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  9. Rosa, Jeff Della (February 20, 2023). "ArDOT wants comments on $116 million Highway 612 extension". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  10. Suhr, Robert (March 2, 2021). "Public Input Needed On Springdale Bypass Expansion". KHBS. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  11. "Arkansas, Oklahoma to partner on U.S. 412 interstate engineering study". Herald Leader. February 9, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  12. Rosa, Jeff Della (May 25, 2023). "ArDOT to release findings on proposed $250M highway west of I-49". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
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