North Belt environmental impact study finished

By ArkansasOnline

An environmental study into the North Belt project is finished, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department said Friday.

The North Belt is proposed as a four-lane, divided highway that would connect the I-430 / I-40 interchange with the Hwy. 67 / Hwy. 440 interchange in order to improve local and regional traffic service. Communities in and around the study area include Sherwood, Jacksonville, Gravel Ridge, Runyan Acres, North Little Rock, and Oak Grove.

One stretch of the North Belt — Arkansas 440, from U.S. 67/167 eastward to I-40 — was completed about six years ago at a cost of $63 million.

The plan has been met with opposition — some residents in the Kellogg Acre community are worried about the uncertain future for their property that the construction of such a highway poses.

The environmental study contains an in-depth analysis of the Preferred Alternative route. It is currently available for review at the city halls and public libraries of Sherwood, Jacksonville and North Little Rock. Additionally, a review copy is available at the Metroplan Office at 501 W. Markham in Little Rock, the Pulaski County Administration Building at 201 S. Broadway in Little Rock and the AHTD District Six Office at 8900 Mabelvale Pike in Little Rock.