Regional-transportation committee ignores Fayetteville representatives and approves beltway study

The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
COST of STUDY $755,912
Whose money will pay for that?

Beltway Feasibility Study Proceeds
By THE MORNING NEWS
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/08/07/news/080808azbeltway.txt
SPRINGDALE - Northwest Arkansas moved a step closer to realizing a western bypass today that would allow traffic to go from southern Washington County to northern Benton County without taking Interstate 540.
A feasibility study for the proposed western beltway received needed approval Thursday despite a request for delay from Fayetteville representatives.
The $755,912 feasibility study is of a proposed highway from the unbuilt Bella Vista bypass in the north through western Benton and Washington counties to join I-540 south of Fayetteville.
Particulars of the route have not been worked out. The corridor, which would contain the route for the proposed beltway, is five miles wide at one point.
Unlike a bypass, which takes an existing highway around a town so travelers won't have to drive through it, the beltway would be an all-new alternative route to I-540 for north-south traffic around the two counties.
Fayetteville representatives on the Northwest Regional Transportation Policy Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee requested more time because the Fayetteville City Council is divided on how to proceed with the project with some council members wanting light rail options given more priority.
The majority of policy and advisory committee members said the bypass project was the subject of more than a year's study with seven public meetings and two public opinion polls, and there was no need for delay.