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Arkansas Lacks Funding, Causing A Gap In Nationwide Construction

SPRINGDALE (KFSM) —  The construction of I-49 that connects the North and South of the country has been falling behind because of a missing piece in Arkan...

SPRINGDALE (KFSM) --  The construction of I-49 that connects the North and South of the country has been falling behind because of a missing piece in Arkansas. More than $300 billion transportation bill has made it through Congress. All of that money will be spent on highway and transit projects across the country over the next five years.

It comes down to a lack of federal and state funding, however that could soon change once the president signs the highway bill into law. Part of the project is federally funded, but the rest has to come from the states where the interstate is being built.

Congressman Womack said, "Roads and bridges, strategically improved mobility for people and for goods and services is a vital link in that economic development scene."

This comes after he said I-49 will create a lot of opportunity for people, goods and services in the state. Another part of the I-49 project is underway at the Bella Vista Bypass. The construction started in 2015, and the project is set to be complete by the middle of 2016.

Unlike prior highway bills, this bill will last for 5 years. Congress hasn't passed a transportation funding bill that lasted longer than two years since 2005.

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