Corning, Arkansas – The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded a $24.9 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT). This funding will support the construction of a four-mile highway bypass that will reroute traffic around the west side of Corning, improving transportation efficiency, safety, and economic development in the region.
Corning Bypass to Play a Key Role in Future Interstate 57
The Corning Bypass is part of a larger effort to complete Future Interstate 57, a project that will connect Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, to Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The fully controlled access, four-lane highway will feature two interchanges with U.S. Highway 67, allowing commercial trucks to avoid Corning’s downtown business district.
ARDOT Director Jared D. Wiley emphasized the project’s long-term benefits, stating:
“When complete, the Interstate 57 Corridor will improve mobility and enhance economic development for our state and the region.”
By providing an alternate route for heavy truck traffic, the project is expected to reduce congestion, improve safety, and enhance the quality of life for Corning residents.
RAISE Grant Funding Supports National Infrastructure Development
The RAISE grant program is one of several federal initiatives that provide competitive funding to infrastructure projects across the country. In this funding cycle, the USDOT awarded $1.32 billion to 109 projects nationwide, focusing on transportation improvements that boost economic opportunity, mobility, and sustainability.
Wiley highlighted the importance of strong federal partnerships, expressing gratitude for the support of Senator John Boozman and Congressman Rick Crawford in securing additional funding:
“I am grateful to Senator Boozman and Congressman Crawford for their support of this project. Through their efforts, Arkansas has received an additional $17.4 million in Congressionally Directed Funding specifically for Interstate 57, bringing the total amount of additional funding to $42.3 million for this project.”
Other Arkansas Recipients of RAISE Grant Funding
In addition to the $24.9 million grant for the Corning Bypass, five other projects in Arkansas received RAISE grants to support transportation and infrastructure improvements:
- Rock Region Metropolitan Transit Authority received $5.4 million to design a new transit station replacement.
- City of Fort Smith was awarded nearly $25 million to construct 9.3 miles of active transportation facilities.
- Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission secured $25 million for the construction of side paths along 17.5 miles of Highway 112 in connection with upcoming ARDOT improvements.
- City of Mena obtained $3.3 million to develop an active transportation plan, a master street plan, an ADA transition plan, and a complete streets policy.
- City of Hot Springs was granted $2.3 million to plan four new multi-use trails.
Commitment to Strengthening Arkansas Infrastructure
Wiley praised the hard work of ARDOT staff in preparing the grant application, noting the national significance of the Interstate 57 Corridor:
“Our staff worked hard to develop a strong grant application, and I am proud to see that their labor is bearing great fruit. We appreciate the United States Department of Transportation’s recognition of the national importance of the Interstate 57 Corridor.”
As Arkansas continues to expand its transportation infrastructure, the Corning Bypass and Future Interstate 57 project will contribute to improved mobility, economic growth, and long-term development in the state.
For more details on the RAISE Grant process, visit the USDOT website.
