Corning, Arkansas – In a significant step toward enhancing Arkansas’s transportation infrastructure, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held for the Corning Bypass on Thursday, November 14, at 11 a.m. The event, taking place at the former Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) Weigh Station at 6584 U.S. Highway 67 in Corning, invites community members, state officials, and transportation leaders to celebrate the beginning of this pivotal construction project.
The 4.1-mile Corning Bypass is designed to connect with the Future Interstate 57 (I-57) Corridor, further linking Arkansas to major economic routes across the United States. The project is part of an ongoing ARDOT initiative to enhance interstate access from North Little Rock to the Missouri State Line.
Connecting Corning to Economic Opportunities with I-57
The Corning Bypass will improve connectivity and streamline traffic flow along Highway 67. Starting south of Corning near County Road 135, the bypass will stretch northeast, reconnecting to Highway 67 just north of Corning near County Road 146. The design includes an overpass at County Road 139, which will offer a north-south access route for local traffic.
The new route, set to feature four lanes with inside and outside shoulders, is expected to become an essential link in the I-57 corridor. Arkansas State Highway Commissioner Alec Farmer emphasized the benefits of the project, noting, “When complete, the I-57 corridor will increase mobility between the south-central United States and the Midwest, while also connecting most of your major east-west routes across the United States.” Farmer underscored the project’s potential impact, pointing out that “Building out this corridor in Arkansas will result in safer transportation, faster transportation, and potential economic growth for the region.”
Expanding Interstate Access in Arkansas
The Corning Bypass is a critical segment in the broader effort to complete I-57, a route that already stretches from North Little Rock to Walnut Ridge. The corridor, once extended to Missouri, will bolster Arkansas’s position in the national transportation network. For ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor, the Corning Bypass represents a major advancement: “We are thrilled to have earned official I-57 designation along Highway 67 from North Little Rock to Walnut Ridge, and we are committed to finishing the missing link between Walnut Ridge and the Missouri State Line.” She highlighted the project as a milestone, saying, “Constructing the Corning Bypass is the first step in that mission, and we’re excited to celebrate this important milestone.”
Project Details and Timeline
The $55 million project, awarded to Koss Construction Company from Topeka, Kansas, is set to start in 2025, with completion anticipated by late 2027. This development will play a major role in connecting the state’s infrastructure, encouraging safer and more efficient travel, and stimulating economic growth.
The Corning Bypass groundbreaking marks a key moment for ARDOT and the communities it serves, bringing Arkansas closer to completing a high-capacity transportation route that will benefit the state for years to come.
