Why I-49 in is INCOMPLETE | When Can Americans Expect it Finished?

[@garyd.7372]

That part of Arkansas with the "really difficult terrain" is also really beautiful. I often drove between Dallas and Kansas City, and usually went out of my way to drive through the woods and hills in Arkansas instead of the Oklahoma plains. I hope that, whenever Arkansas finds the cash to build a freeway through those hills, they can keep intact the picturesque parts of existing roads like US-71 for us lovers of scenic highways.

[@PelicanGuy]

ARDOT will likely plan a new route for I-49 and not interfere with US 71.

[@Neely26tv]

From the way it looks on the map it would be just easier to run 49 into the Eastern edge of Oklahoma and then bring it back into Arkansas south of Fort Smith. In a similar manner that I- 24 dips down out of Tennessee in to Georgia for a few miles and then back up into Tennessee west of Chattanooga

[@romanrat5613]

then you can enjoy the scenery of walmarts and strip malls around every exit not to mention all the borrow sites for the fill

[@mike1590]

I-49 between Alma and Fayetteville is one of the most scenic segments of of interstate outside the eastern and western US. But US-71 runs quietly adjacent to I-49. I took US-71 on my most recent trip and it felt FAAAAR away from any interstate. Hopefully ARDOT applies this practice to the southern segment.

[@rogersmith7396]

Arkansas does'nt have a pot to piss in. I've seen incomplete highway bridges that have stood for years due to the lack of money. The road will never be built unless the Feds build it. Arkansas is a third world country.

[@JAldrich73]

I have travelled on all segments of 49. It will be nice once they connect Fort Smith and Texarkana.

[@MileageMike485]

Definitely!

[@cameraredeye3115]

Do you know the terrain between Ft. Smith and Texarkana? Building an interstate through such terrain is not only exceedingly difficult, but costly and time-consuming. Don't take my word for it. Look at a terrain map of that area. No matter which way you take I-49, you will have to deal with mountains galore.

[@jmayer8]

That last leg of US-90B in the New Orleans area is referred to as the Westbank (not West Park) Expressway. But on the other side of the Mississippi River it's called the Pontchartrain Expressway (which also includes part of I-10).

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

Thanks--i caught that too. I wonder where he maybe saw it labelled "West Park" (or if it was a simple reading error)? I watched a video the other day that claimed the Beatles broke up in December of 1972 and am wondering how people even find info like that online when surely the real dates are far more easily found. I could see this one just being eyesight tho.

[@cliffsta87337]

I’ve lived in cities along 49 my whole life in Louisiana. Currently reside in Lafayette. It’s been a long time coming on the Lafayette connector. The thruway is dangerous and in abhorrent condition. I sincerely hope they start turning dirt soon. Supposedly they’re ready to start this year. I hope in my lifetime that 49 connects Lafayette to New Orleans. We often take 90 south to go to Nola especially if we’re going downtown.

[@rynenavarro1587]

St Genevieve church on the thruway has made it tough to build the interstate. Which it was supposed to be an interstate originally but the state ran out of money

[@hankhillsnrrwurethra]

When I was in college in Fayetteville pre-49, US 71 south to I-40 was so dangerous there were 'Pray For Me' bumper stickers about it. Every time I smell burnt truck brakes I'm reminded of it.

[@amira218]

Thanks for vid! My Dad is from Shreveport and my Mom is from New Orleans/Houma. I grew up thinking the roads were odd, but never gave much thought as to why. Nashville NPT did a great documentary called “Facing North” on the effect of routing the highway through North Nashville. I wonder if there is a documentary about 49.

[@rjmcallister1888]

Barely mentioned: I-69, which also has much support among business communities. But when it comes to building it from Tunica, MS across the Mississippi, cue the crickets. It took some 30 years to get the I-49 Bella Vista bypass at the Missouri-Arkansas border done. Prior to 1996, Arkansas had a 'pay as you go' system; they didn't build anything unless there was money for it, which really slowed things down. They're still stalled expanding US 67 north from Walnut Ridge to the Missouri border, where MoDot has plans ready, and much of the road built, to run I-57 west to Poplar Bluff and south to Arkansas, a project that started in the 1960's. And they wonder why economic development is so slow down there. As for KC, 49/71 there is a classic NIMBY political mess. It's gonna take some more time.

[@JWTH531]

Amen!

[@rogersmith7396]

Anti freeway won a federal discrimination suit. The current KC road is permanent.

[@Neely26tv]

Arkansas is one of those States like South Carolina they are deeply religious and decades behind the rest of the U.S. They would rather spend $200m on a 500 ft tall cross rather than on important things like completing the 49/69 highways

[@larrymcclain8874]

Mississippi has said that unless the Feds pay for it, they won't build I-69.

[@drivingbritt9617]

Interesting video, I was just recently pondering the idea of driving the whole length of the Louisiana section of I-49 from Arkansas to Lafayette on my 20th birthday which is in a few months from now. Cool and interesting video. :)

[@Neely26tv]

Let's just say we won't see results at least of the next hundred years

[@gamewizardks]

I traveled on the I-49 Interstate part through Louisiana into Shreveport back in 1994. The Rand-McNally Road Atlas I had back then showed a dotted line (incomplete route) through the city. It's amazing that not much has changed in the almost 30 years since.

[@LetsGoPens528]

If you haven't yet, could you do a video on Interstates in Upstate NY? Maybe I-86, Future I-81, and Future I-790?

[@franko8572]

Bro that’s so funny.. I was just thinking about “I-86”! Aka “NY 17”. What county do you live in?

[@musicalhistory4392]

It’s been interesting to see the portions built in Arkansas and Louisiana in the past 15 years, but it’s really hard to believe they’ll ever have it completed.

[@JadeDragon407]

I'd say in Shreveport, the La 3132 option makes the most sense, and would keep 49 traffic off of 20 entirely. You mentioned Lafayette to Shreveport was finished in '96; I'm guessing the around Lafayette portion had been done long before, as I remember seeing exits for 49 on 10 back in '90 w/ the first time I ever went to AL with my grandma and grandpa. A little bit of upgrading down toward N'Orleans would be good; it would give a more robust option for hurricane evac for all the low-lying parishes down there. 10/12/La 1 region in Baton Rouge is such a congested mess though and arguably the biggest pain in the whole state.

[@carlstevens781]

Arkie & total road nerd here, I’d love to go into intricate detail about some of the situation in AR but I haven’t slept in days. I’ll finish writing out an incredibly long comment when I can manage to rub my last 2 conscious brain cells together. It’ll probably get lost in the comments by that point, but i will say that ArDOT has a somewhat unique structure when compared with the rest of the state DOTs, & its more or less like a 4th coequal branch of government under the AR constitution totally led by the engineers (& accountants) & separate from the executive & legislative branches. I imagine Mike might find those details neat as a civil engineer. I’m 24, & grew up in Fayetteville & my dad’s family is from Columbia county near the LA border. It’s always been a dream of mine to see the day when 49 runs down to Texarkana & connects to a 4 lane’d US 82. At the current pace, I’ll be an old man before it’s said & done. It’ll also tie in within I-369 & I-69 in Texas, leading to a direct connection between the ports of Houston and the gulf coast with the rail yards of Kansas City. It’s tie in with I-40 from Cali to NC & the Arkansas River that carries barge traffic to the Mississippi will lead to the development of a multimodal logistics hub that could be a game changer for our state. This doesn’t even mention the 3 fortune 500 companies in NW AR (Walmart, Tyson, & JB Hunt) that will leap at the golden opportunity for warehousing. It will also provide a preferred alternative from Dallas to the NW AR metro which is gonna hit ~1M people by 2050 due to the aforementioned Walmart + others pouring incredible amounts of capital into the region + the development around the University of Arkansas. The current route of US 69 in Oklahoma is a total hot mess, & their rate of road improvement means any offspring of mine will be geriatric before that’s all straightened out (ahem McAlester bypass). It runs the gamut from an interstate-standard freeway at 75 mph to a 4 lane undivided highway with traffic lights at 35mph. It even has a section that’s entirely baffling: a 4 lane undivided city street inexplicably signed at 70mph. Edit: whoops, accidentally deleted this, but I also have details on 2 scandals with I-49 in Missouri that y’all might find pretty interesting.

[@rogersmith7396]

I live at Lake of the Ozarks. Over the last several years US 65 south from Sedalia has been improved to 4 lane divided down to Warsaw where a new bridge is required. I have'nt been over there in years so I don't know if they built the bridge over the lake, a couple of hundred feet. I believe the intent is to 4 lane to Branson or Springfield. I don't recall if 65 North to I 70 is all 4 lane. MO 5 goes from I 44 at Lebanon up to the lake. Parts of it have passing lanes. It is 4 lane at Camdenton and they put in a new bridge over the lake which can support 4 lanes. MO. 5 is all very curvy and goes through a lot of rock. After many miles it connects with US 50 in Sedalia and later I 70 at Boonville. No doubt I won't see this all 4 laned but even at the lake it would relieve congestion on US 54. Its 4 lane here but west to Witchita its low sped 2 lane running through every little burg with 1 stop light. I believe I drove 65 north to Des Moines through Marshal and its very slow. Becomes a farm road in Iowa.

[@SavageScientist]

12:59 LOL westpark expressway, i know you mean Westbank expressway. Love this video, i have a stolen Future I-49 sign from Marrero.

[@rynenavarro1587]

That’s so westbank 😂

[@MrCE1989]

One would have to travel due east to cross the river to get to the Westbank Freeway. Most of the Westbank is due south of New Orleans. Geographically speaking, the crest of the Mississippi River around New Orleans can be quite tricky, but after a few Pat O'Brien's hurricanes, the erratic behavior of compasses goes completely unnoticed.

[@SavageScientist]

@@MrCE1989 LOL the cops wont care they were turning up right in the there with you

[@MrCE1989]

@@SavageScientist Most people in Louisiana love their liqueur, including the judges.

[@SavageScientist]

@@MrCE1989 IKR

[@markdavid7013]

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for I-49 to be completed....

[@jimpern]

I took I-49 from Kansas City to I-40 last summer. I think it is imperative that the missing link in K.C. be completed; I could see first-hand why those intersections are dangerous.

[@rogersmith7396]

Will never happen.

[@cameraredeye3115]

There's a permanent injunction in that one area along US 71 that forever prevents any freeway construction in that stretch. I'd forget about extending I-49 that way if I were you.

[@ronm9428]

The stretch through Patterson and Bayou Vista LA will be quite difficult to rebuild as an interstate. Also, except for the new overpasses, the stretch of hwy 90 from there to Lafayette, about 40 miles, is severely worn out and needs to be completely resurfaced.

[@davehughesfarm7983]

I helped built this road through the Boston Mountains in Arkansas...Put in 800 splash pads and tile under neath the shoulder.

[@andyasumtneer1978]

Great history lesson!

[@ian4040]

As someone who lives in KC, I wish they would have finished I-49 in Arkansas long ago, because if you're trying to get from KC to New Orleans or anywhere else along the gulf coast, it's a real pain in the ass. Arkansas has so many gaps in their 4 lane highways. I-49 has a huge gap. There's a big gap between Pine Bluff and Mobile, AL. And there's a gap between Springfield, MO and Memphis. It's amazing there aren't more interstates through this area.

[@happybone1978]

Hey Mike....I love your channel.....I only just discovered it today. One of my favorite genre of YouYube channels are Timelapse Interstate travel videos. I actually grew up in the Fort Smith metropolitan are in the city of Greenwood. The part of I-49 that is completed is in the Ozarks. (NW Arkansas from Benton County to the I-49/I-40 Interchange) The part of I-49 that is not completed yet is NOT actually in the Ozarks. That area of Arkansas is the Ouachita Mountains. (pronounced: WASH-e-tah). You are correct in that it is a very isolated and rural area of not only Arkansas, but Oklahoma, too.

[@bradleymcwilliams6348]

I've driven the part from I-10 toward Houma. The trip through Lafayette is absolutely miserable, especially in a big truck.

[@Yakman18]

Now you have me wanting to drive US 71 in Western Arkansas

[@garyd.7372]

US 71 is decent. But the other local roads in and around the Ozark Mountains are spectacular. You'll enjoy any of the roads that appear on a map with lots of wiggles.

[@rogersmith7396]

Its the worst.

[@Yakman18]

@@carlstevens781 lol, he probably lives on US71. I promise I won’t run over any mailboxes!

[@xxquagmir3xx270]

I live south of raceland, la and drive a tractor-trailer from there west to Lafayette area and east to Nola area daily and I would really like to see these hwy finished would make my job a lot easier. Some of these sections are so dangerous like through the Evangeline thruway and the berwick/bayou vista areas and it’s a nightmare between boutee and westwego.

[@kevinrussell3501]

I know I drove on the Bella Vista Bypass (MO/AR I-49 connection) the first night it was opened and I was very happy this was finally completed. I travel 3 round trips a week and driving through Bella Vista was awful. The traffic during the day was brutal. My 2 cents on the rest of Arkansas is I think it might get done a little bit quicker than you think. You know the corporate supergiants located in Bentonville and Springdale want this done and there seems to be a decent political push to finish the interstate. Arkansas already made I-49 a priority over I-69 so that might tell you something

[@davestewart2067]

49 has more value than 69’s middle portion. In fact I wouldn’t even build 69 between west of Shreveport and Memphis. Too porky, existing routes that roughly parallel proposed 69 can be improved and six laned instead.

[@Brandon-lw1wx]

I think US 412 between I-35 in Oklahoma and Springdale should be converted into an interstate first. I-49 being built between Texarkana and Fort Smith would only benefit Fort Smith.

[@kevinrussell3501]

@@Brandon-lw1wx I think this being looked at as possible I-42. I think there's political interest but we'll have to see where it goes

[@janetwalz4516]

I-49 in northern Arkansas near the Bobby Hopper Tunnel is rally nice, designed well.

[@jimgorycki4013]

I remember cutting from I-20 to I-10 in LA in 1981, taking LA 1 most of the way, going through Alexandria

[@Jsmith2024]

I love driving I-49 from Lafayette to LA-3132 in Louisiana when we drive to Dallas and points west.

[@tymccarthy9661]

Great video! I didn't realized Arkansas had a gap too! The Ozarks are gorgeous, would bring a lot of camping/hiking/leaf peeping tourism to Arkansas when completed. I'll never understand the logic of naming 49 not just being 29 South (or renaming 29 to 49 North). I-35 branches into 2 sections, twice, I'm sure we are creative enough to figure out a caveat. The US-71 gap could be by passed by routing 29 via concurrency with 70 EB til 435 SB then south until the Grandview triangle. (not exactly faster, but no new construction would be needed and could be re-routed if the neighborhood agrees to let it go forward.) But seeing as they would be disconnected from the rest of KC (cuz Swope Park is on the east side) I doubt they will want to change it. I would love if MoDOT would tunnel that section, it's like a mile... how much could it cost $10? That way the neighborhood would still have connection and quiet and the highway gets connected too. But probably a low priority for MoDot. Anywhoooooo great video. Love seeing sections of the country I've not road tripped to yet!

[@rgentry]

Mike I just found your videos and I'm already a big fan!! You gotta go down to Mexico man, there are some great roads and highways over ther that go through some amazing landscape!!!! Seriously man, you won't regret it!! The Mexican toll road/freeway system is the best in the Americas outside the US!

[@coreysmith8560]

I-49 will likely be completed before I-69 is completed. IN Arkansas, I-49 between Fort Smith and Mena will be difficult. The Y CIty to Mena portion will be the hardest. I-369 may be extended north of I-30 to connect to I-49. I-49 extension was chosen instead of extending I-29 was due to the interstate grid and where I-29 southern end is placed at. In Shreveport, I can see them using that new recommendation revealed back in January.

[@cameraredeye3115]

I-369 is already projected to be 110+ miles, given that its southern terminus will ultimately be near Tenaha, where it will hit I-69. As for completing I-49, I wouldn't be surprised if they decide to take that interstate through Oklahoma and have it reenter Arkansas just south of Ft. Smith, because trying to take it near Mena and Y City is practically impossible due to terrain issues. At least in Oklahoma, there's a much better chance.

[@Brandon-lw1wx]

@@cameraredeye3115 it’s not projected to be built in Oklahoma. They are working on turning US 412 into an interstate and Arkansas will finish the Springdale to Siloam Springs portion.

[@stevenwilgus5422]

This is clearly the best explanation of I49, on You Tube. Well Done!

[@rc-yi8ry]

I helped build I-49 through Shreveport over 30 years ago.

[@davestewart2067]

It’s not done yet. The “straight shot” alternative should be selected. The interchanges are already in place, at both 20 and 220.

[@1017_CK]

Road tripped down to Bentonville from Minneapolis in 2021 before I49 was completed in the Northwest Arkansas area. Wish I could have seen the finished product now. It was pretty hectic how they had it re-routed for construction.

[@rogersmith7396]

US 71 in MO. was already 4 lane divided hyway so completing it was easy. Once you cross into Arkansas its a different story. Low speed 2 lane going through every little town. Completing that will cost billions. The terminis in Texarkana is a long way from anywhere.

[@CeeJai_K]

I was born in Alexandria, La in ‘81 and I remember the construction through the city and when it finally opened. It changed our neighborhood the Sonya Quarters. I never knew it was supposed to go all the way to another state.

[@MrCE1989]

The term interstate means to connect two or more states, otherwise, if it stayed within the borders of one state, it would be called an intrastate. Also, interstates are identified by one or two digits, such as I-10, I-49, I-20, and I-55, whereas, most intrastate highways are identified by 3-digits, such as I-110 in Baton Rouge, I-220 in Shreveport, I-210 in Lake Charles, and I-405 in Los Angeles. The nomenclature for intrastates can be duplicated, since they stay within the borders of one state. For example, there's a I-110 in Los Angeles, CA and I-110 in Baton Rouge, LA. Both are spur routes off of I-10.

[@MrCE1989]

I apologize. There's one 2-digit intrastate highways, and it's in Texas. I-45 does not travel beyond the borders of Texas. But it's Texas, where they create their own rules. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnfRkGZmdqlqhs0&pp=ygUZaG93IGludGVyc3RhdGVzIGFyZSBuYW1lZA%3D%3D

[@MrCE1989]

Since you are from Alexandria, LA, I'm sure you have heard about the proposed east and west bound interstate (I-14) that will travel through Alexandria. Texas has already designated its portion for funding. Supposedly, a great deal of the funding for this interstate will come out of Biden's infrastructure bill.

[@davestewart2067]

Interstate 14 was hatched from “road geek” dreams of a Georgia college student. Unlikely any of it will come to pass, aside from a short piece in Texas. (fort hood).

[@MrCE1989]

@@davestewart2067 I-14 was created as an idea to connect military bases in the Southeast, which is why it's being built near Fort Hood. It's sometimes referred to Port to Fort. Also, I think President Biden has included it in his infrastructure bill.

[@jimpern]

I have a better suggestion for the route in Shreveport: run it down I-220 for one exit, and then run it along the railroad line that borders the east side of Cross Lake all the way to the existing I-49 just south of I-20. This will go around the Allendale neighborhood rather than thru it. Perhaps this entire stretch can be built as an elevated structure above the railroad tracks. I also feel that the section between Lafayette and New Orleans should NOT be numbered as part of I-49; it is an EAST-WEST roadway and instead should be numbered I-6.

[@Neely26tv]

I like the I-6 designation suggestion for that part of 49 South of Lafayette

[@cameraredeye3115]

Or just reroute I-49 around Shreveport via LA 3132 and I-220 and redesignate the stretch inside that loop as I-149. It would make the interstate continuous from Lafayette to Texarkana while also not requiring any further construction, thereby making everybody happy.

[@1000rogueleader]

@@cameraredeye3115 Not practical. The cost would be exorbitantly expensive to rebuild all the freeways, interchanges, and exits, not to mention the bridges. Just building it through the city would cost far less.

[@davidtosh7200]

Somebody has mentioned that US-412 between I-35 near Perry Oklahoma to I-49 in Springdale Arkansas I’d going to be I-46, I-48, or I-52. Interstate 46 came from Oklahoma was admitted as of 46th state in 1907. Interstate 48 is also good and we need more of 8s as the last digit of the interstate numbering system. Interstate 52 is a good choice since I don’t find Oklahoma State Route 52 and Arkansas State Route 52 on the map, and besides we need more of the 50s category, besides I-55, I-57, and I-59 in Midwestern and Southern States.

[@michaeltrace1109]

It has been written into law that it will receive Interstate designation. They haven't picked a number yet, but I wrote my Congressman suggesting I-50. US-412 has been designated as HPC-8 from the 1991 ISTEA between Tulsa and Nashville, and since they're extending it westward all the way to I-35, a mid continent Interstate running from I-35 to I-65 would be as close to transcontinental as we'd get in half a century with the Rockies and Appalachians boxing things in. Ideally, it would extend to I-25 eventually as that would make trips to Colorado quicker.

[@dariusbrock2351]

Texarkanian here. I'll be glad when the whole section between Ft. Smith and Texarkana. What I don't understand is why build a whole new section around Ft Smith when they could've used I-540 through town?

[@carlstevens781]

They also want to build a totally new freeway from state line avenue to Ashdown despite the fact that 71 is 4 lane all the way there & is even expressway grade in portions

[@dariusbrock2351]

@@carlstevens781 That's crazy! Just a waste of money.

[@davestewart2067]

While not familiar with 540 corridor, it sounds similar what’s happening with the “new terrain” 69 corridor in west Tennessee. Where significant portions of Existing US 51 could have been upgraded instead.

[@abramquinn7726]

WELL DONE! (I am from Lafayette. La)

[@ridesharegold6659]

The bridges used to be tolled in both directions - as in way back when it was 50 cents each way. But there was no automated tolling back then so the traffic backups caused problems and it was a waste of money to have all those people collecting tolls twice. So they just doubled the toll and collected it once. There was also mire land in the Jersey side to expand the toll plazas.

[@tomfuelery2905]

New Jersey is no where near I-49.

[@procinctu1]

The new leadership in the US Congress being from Louisiana could make a difference in speeding up the timetable for I49.

[@thebatterymill]

Funny how the business US 90 is a freeway in NOLA

[@johnpublic5169]

LA-3132 is so damn bumpy and worn out. I know I won’t be driving anymore when Arkansas finishes their gap and I may not be breathing anymore. US-71 through there isn’t bad if you don’t have a front door slowing you down. I drive a truck and can roller coaster my way on that route, if no one is in front of me. I know just where and when to brake and how much and I know where and when to be back in the throttle. The worst is someone puttering along after I highball over a hill. Gotta get on the brakes and that screws everything up for the next several hills and curves. 02:00-05:00 is the best time to run through there. Drunks are home and school busses are still in the barn.

[@richiegillham42069]

Can you do a study/ investigation into why Hwy 70 in Hot Springs, Arkansas was built like a freeway with service roads from N. Border Terrace for just a few miles east and then back to a regular highway? And why 70/270 was a boulevard type 4 lane almost 3/4 across town to just suddenly turn down a one way, two lane residential street? Thanks!!!

[@vamoscruceros]

Even jf US 71 within Kansas City is brought up to full interstate standards, would the I-29 and I-49 corridors ever actually be consolidated? Such renumbering of an existing interstate would be unprecedented. Missouri would likely have the biggest tab as the exit numbers would change between Kansas City and Iowa. Even within Kansas City, connecting 29 and 49 creates a triplex with 35 and 70.

[@UserName-ts3sp]

i mean if 81 and 59 aren’t i dont think they will

[@rogersmith7396]

Take 435 to I29 or I 35. The downtown road will never be built.

[@larrymcclain8874]

The problem for I-69 is Mississippi. They have said that they will not build it unless the feds pay for it. I-53 is supposed to go straight south from Pine Bluff to connect to I-69 at Wilmer, between Monticello and Warren. Then I-53 is to go straight through Louisiana passing through Monroe, Alexandria, and Lake Charles.

[@rlg1976x]

If the projected traffic volumes are enough, what about building the stretch between Ft. Smith and Texarkana as toll road AR/TX-49? They could do what PA and WV did with PA/WV-43 between Uniontown PA and Morgantown WV where PA charges tolls and WV gets a portion of those tolls to cover the expense of building their short portion of the road. Technically, you would still have a gap since the toll road won't be allowed to be signed as I-49 but the high speed controlled access roadway would be complete.

[@carlstevens781]

Toll roads are a bit of a third rail in our state, & for most of ARDOT’s history they were explicitly banned. I don’t remember if this was under a constitutional provision, a legal prohibition, or if it was just department policy, but it did get changed. Most Arkansans wouldn’t be able to easily afford tolls, & every study they’ve done to assess feasibility for projects always come to the conclusion that Arkansans would refuse to use them & thus they wouldn’t be solvent.

[@MileageMike485]

Yeah I think tolls are a no-go in this part of the country. Part of the reason they want the highway is to stimulate some growth in the area and it would probably fail if it were tolled.

[@kennethbrown5358]

Walmart won't let that happen

[@baconmcbacon62]

It would be the easiest thing to route 49 around Shreveport onto 3132, upgrade that to Interstate Highway standards, multi sign it I220/I49, and you’re good to go. Keep it going and tear down the part through the city center and let the neighborhoods reconnect.

[@goGothitaLOL]

only if they have the budget for that

[@cameraredeye3115]

No, don't tear that stretch of freeway down, but redesignate it as I-149. Other than that, I'm with you.

[@1000rogueleader]

The money to do that just isn't there. It would be prohibitively expensive.

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

We do strange things with our language in Louisiana, so the word "Boutte" is actually pronounced like 'booty', but as a fancy french word: Boo-TEE :) I'm from a town not far called "LaPlace" which ought to be pronounced "le plahs" but locally we're "le-plassssss"

[@alfredorundell1989]

How the H this highway is not complete is absolutely crazy

[@Dosite1]

Allendale Strong supports the FHWA position that we should use the federal money to upgrade The Loop 3132 to Interstate standards and get it repaired as part of that. We support a business boulevard through the city to support local businesses similar to Texarkana and and Kansas City.

[@jtuttle11]

Just off hand, I'd say that I-49 will NOT be completed in the Lifetime of anyone currently alive in the United States. We're depending on government agencies and Union Labor to build a highway.

[@kam_nola01]

10:51 it’s called the Westbank Expressway

[@carlthoresen3232]

Former NOLA resident here. Completing 49 between NOLA and Lafayette was all the buzz as far back as 20 years ago. But , will they change the signing to E-W was was done in Michigan with I-69? You’d literally have to go southeast out of downtown NOLA on “north” 49, then due west. Very confusing…

[@dvferyance]

I doubt that part will ever be built. Why is it even needed? You have I-10.

[@spamlessaccount]

Hardly fair to include Texas. I49 runs basically in conjunction with US-71, only a whisper of which exists in TX. 2.2 miles of it to be precise, and even that is literally 200 FEET from the AR border.

[@MileageMike485]

True. Having Texas in the title is better for SEO though.

[@bearworldwide101]

I feel like they would have to toll the Arkansas part and the Louisiana part too these states Arkansas Louisiana Mississippi and Tennessee want the federal government to cough up more than 90 percent to as much as 98 percent of the cost to build the highways of interstate 49/69 and other proposed routes like 14 57 and spur interstates too. If their is a chance the government is frugal with spending again we would have to wait and see if a recession looms to the point that the federal government create some form of public works program that speeds up the road construction of many of these highways in rough terrain and poor regions of the country depending who is president and who's in Congress and Senate to push such a massive spending bill to do such things for these parts of America.

[@ftmhome]

I-49 in Northwest Arkansas was needed to serve the large and growing part of the state. I see no need to extend from Fort Smith to Texarkana through the Quachita Mountians. It is beautiful country that needs to be preserved. Upgrade existing US59 in Oklahoma or add lanes to I-40 and I-30 in Arkansas.

[@robby8841]

love these videos

[@cheflos]

Maybe once completed I-49 and the northern half of I-35 can merge and make an I-45 that is actually cross country since routes ending in multiples of 5 are supposed to be cross country. Southern 35 and 29 can stick to 35 and current 45 can become 39 and current 39, 41, and 43 can add ten to their numbers to fit the grid

[@ScrypKat56]

Can you update the decision from 2023 for the Shreveport connection?

[@MasonWright1234]

I have traveled on I 49 in Louisiana

[@markquintonii]

Correction: I49 is completed through through the Ozarks. It's the ouchitas that is being held up.

[@jandrew1994]

Can you do another one on Future I-69? That goes through the heart of the Mississippi Delta. That is one of the poorest and most neglected areas in the entire USA and also majority-black and should run from Jackson and Yazoo City MS through cities like Belzoni and Indianola up to Tunica and Memphis. This would re-invigorate the Mississippi Delta region and make them boom with business and make their economy a lot better.

[@MileageMike485]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4mofHSimrh8d5Y

[@ianbreaux107]

Not to be overly stringent but I have to fix it. No. 1 it’s the West Bank expressway which is US 90 business. No. 2 Boutte is a case of Louisiana having French names and constantly getting them butchered. It’s pronounced “Boo-Tee”.

[@cjbcoleman]

Louisiana can 6 or 8 lane that portion but can’t do the same on I12 between BR and Slidell?

[@Dosite1]

It loops around Texarkana and then terminates. When will it be completed front Texarkana to Fort Smith?

[@rogersmith7396]

The section of road in KC is a result of a many decades long court fight where black neighborhoods were destroyed for freeway right of way. The state owns the right of way but it will never be converted to freeway. This type of thing has been illegal for some time now but not in the 1960s. I had a summer job with MoDot mowing the vacated areas.

[@Mayito_Tamps]

I Think I-49 should run north of KC changing the I-29 Signs

[@jliller]

Seems to me like it would be better to route I-49 farther west, closer to US 59, to get around most of the mountainous terrain that US 71 goes through between Fort Smith and Mena.

[@focusstrider2390]

I know it is probably a pipe dream or heading into fictional terrority but why don't I-49 extend farther into Oklahoma and follow closely to the border (except for the Sugarloaf Mountain) and then reenter Arkansas around where Mena is and continue the normal routing. Or just build it right on US 71 as it tackles the curvy parts of the route while building some bypasses?

[@schwenda3727]

It’s a shame that ArDot blew quite a bit of money widening multiple Little Rock freeways to 8 thru lanes when not only I-49, but I-69 have BEEN top priorities nationwide… with far more mileage of I-69 Arkansas’ problem. If those recently widened Little Rock freeways aren’t slated to handle well over 150k AADTs in the coming years, that was quite a bit of limited re$our¢es lit on fire that could’ve gone elsewhere within the state… they could’ve gotten the bypasses of a town or two along future I-49 finished while the remainder of the road sits in study/funding limbo. But removing at least one more slow zone between I-40 and Texarkana while the interstate will still be years more away.

[@aaronfreeman5264]

Wales has a town named Y. Y dre means 'The Town."

[@donavanjohnson409]

I thought interstate 49 was only between interstate 10 and 20 at first

[@macmedic892]

It was… at first.

[@MrCE1989]

Now that the route of I-49 is proposed from New Orleans to Kansas City, I think it should be redesignated as I-45, and the current I-45 changed to I-310 or I-320 in Texas, since I-45 is not a true interstate, but a intrastate. I-45 does not travel beyond Texas borders. But in Texas, most don't know the difference between interstate and intrastate. I had to explain this to someone who supposedly has a PhD. in Texas.

[@NintendoGamer2600]

Does anyone else think that the whole I-49 gap in Shreveport should be designated as a business route if the gap is a permanent feature? Or even designate the portion of the highway between LA-3132 And I-20 as part of the business route as well if they decide to route I-49 onto LA-3132 and give the freeway portion of the route an unsigned auxiliary Interstate designation (similar to U.S. 90 Business and the unsigned I-910 in New Orleans).

[@therealrebeltrucker]

I can tell ya this.... 3132 from I20 to I49 is one of the worst roads in the state... it will need a complete rebuild....

[@kevinrussell3501]

I haven't traveled that road in many years but I do remember it being one of the roughest freeways I ever drove on and that's saying something. The idea is sound routing this interstate on this road but needs some serious work

[@aix21ae]

Mileage Mikeeee

[@kosjeyr]

Moral of the story: Americans will see a full I49 before a full I69.

[@abkeener81]

Why don't they have it follow interstate 220 then interstate 20 back to interstate 49? I mean have it run concurrently.

[@impalaman9707]

As an Oklahoman, I look at I-49 taunting us from across our eastern border, saying look what we have that you don't!

[@bullinmd]

That judge in Missouri or his estate needs to pay dearly for those orders that allowed those signals on US 71 to remain. It just makes no sense.

[@rogersmith7396]

It was an anti discrimination suit. You want a freeway through your house?

[@Zalis116]

@@rogersmith7396 How many houses would actually have to be demolished to convert Bruce Watkins Dr to a freeway?

[@rogersmith7396]

@@Zalis116 They were demolished decades ago. The class action suit specifies it will never be a freeway. Theplaintifs got millions.

[@mistershaf9648]

Arkansas, get I-49 completed!

[@brianbanks7685]

I drive a truck often drive i49 I hate the section in Arkansas narrow bridges over Deep gorges nerveraki NG for me

[@tomfuelery2905]

Narrow bridges? Lol. The bridges are as wide as any other part of the road.

[@JamesCovington-WX5JJC]

Correction: That's the Ouachita Mts in southwestern Arkansas and southeast Oklahoma. :)

[@lanehodnett8222]

As someone who lives in Louisiana, as long as 49 is incomplete there is nothing on the docket for 69

[@admiralcapn]

Has anyone examined the possibility of having I-49 in Shreveport follow the railroad alignment out to Cross Lake/I-220? Obviously adding 2-lanes to either side of the RR grade would widen the right-of-way a bit, but it seems less invasive than heading up Pete Harris Dr.

[@davestewart2067]

Believe the ICC (inter city connector) has already been determined to be the cheapest option, whether it’s four or six lanes. The others, require extensive upgrades and are indirect. They (LaDOT) should have done this urban piece first.

[@admiralcapn]

@@davestewart2067 Sorry, should have been more specific. I mean keep the existing routing of I-49 northbound up to ALMOST I-20, before bending west to follow the railroad right-of-way along Lakeshore Dr and then northwest to Cross Lake before rejoining I-220 very close to the existing I-49 interchange to Arkansas. It would be only SLIGHTLY longer than taking the straight shot from the I-20 interchange to the I-220 interchange, but would bulldoze far fewer structures.

[@davestewart2067]

Thank you for the detailed answer. Have followed the issue but am not an expert on Shreveport politics. Have heard that Allendale business owners support the “straight” shot alignment.

[@B4TNetwork126]

Interstate 49 is complete in Ukraine with plenty of money left over for Ukrainian government works pension funds.

[@MrCE1989]

You meant the Afghanistan War??? As of today (just over one year of war), the United States has give Ukraine $75 billion in aid, whereas the United States was spending approximately $230 billion per year in Afghanistan, a total of $2.313 trillion in 20 years. Plus, the Afghans expected U.S. soldiers to defend them in the long term, whereas Ukrainians are the ones who are doing most of the fighting of their homeland. And we are still paying for the defense of Afghanistan through VA disability claims. I'm glad we finally pulled out of Afghanistan. It was a uncontrollable dumpster fire fueled by money.

[@metarus208]

true brother

[@josephjohnson1057]

Reminiscent of I-69. I've been hearing about completion for 15 years.

[@history_leisure]

I guess I-220 could just be signed I-49 and call it a day too instead of completely letting it go

[@Kirsten_Harwood]

My Godfather designed i49 that goes from Alma to NWA. FUN FACT ❤

[@jonblehar7689]

If shippers used the railroad (the current Kansas City Southern RR) instead of trucks, there would be no need for I-49. States could spend all that tax money on something more beneficial to society (housing, food for the poor, rural health care.).

[@gregsells8549]

The railroad is now Canadian Pacific Kansas City, the first railroad to link Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

[@rogersmith7396]

I see no reason for it in Arkansas. I was going to Palestine TX. when I took it from MO. I must have been the only car going through those little trashy Arkansas towns. Wretched. The only need for a freeway was to avoid the little trashy towns.

[@carlstevens781]

You’re quite the nasty piece of work aren’t you? I saw your other comments & had a nice response until it was clear how much you hold us in contempt when SW Missouri is no better or worse than what we have here. All of the statistics show We’re on the upswing & you’re on the decline. We’ll see who’s wretched after the largest corporation on earth gets NW Arkansas to twice the size of Springfield Metro by 2050 & with the same amenities of KC. This is coming from someone with family in Joplin & friends in Springfield. I harbor no ill will to our compatriots on the other side of the border. We’ll see whose laughing in the long run. At least we didn’t need to make 3 separate attempts to stitch together the disjointed segments of 49 between Carthage and Joplin & waste staggering amounts of taxpayer dollars in the process due to lack of planning & not allocating wiggle room for externalities like abandoned mine shafts that made the ground unstable & poisoned the soil with lead. Now get off your high horse and go hop on a mule. An ass riding an ass, what a novel concept.

[@OpeoAslam]

LA-3132 needs to be rebuilt anyway. That pavement is absolute trash. Making it an interstate might be what it needs.

[@franko8572]

4:48 Bro, come on. Look at the map. It’s mad obvious why they called it that. The community's name is derived from the Y-shaped formation where Highway 270 splits off from Highway 71.

[@Truckngirl]

If China ever builds out the port in NOLA, then the I-49 corridor will be finished (they're tired of CA port bullshit). That stretch of US 71 in Kansas City is a trucker's nightmare. The signal timing is so bad that once you catch one, you catch them all. I lived in KCMO before I-49 was designated, and the stretch down to Joplin used to have driveways that fed directly onto it!

[@macmedic892]

There are some huge problems with making NOLA the next great port for Oriental imports. First is the traveling distance between Los Angeles and New Orleans-that’s a lot of time and fuel. The largest container ships don’t fit through the Panama Canal and the smaller ships that do will pay tremendous fees for passage. Finally, there’s the shipping costs going up the Mississippi River. New Orleans is about a hundred miles of slow travel from the mouth of the river. It requires an expensive river pilot. Yes, the West Coast ports are corrupt, terribly inefficient, and vulnerable to manipulation by the state government, the unions, and environmental activists. Unfortunately, NOLA isn’t a viable alternative.

[@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2]

It's mostly the Missouri fault because i49 isn't supposed to be in the metro area entirely and should service east saint loies,570 and 435 should be conncerent in the south kc suburbs and meet with 70 in Kansas.

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

I feel like perhaps one could make the argument that any city in Arkansas is "Why City"?

[@UHaulTV]

2 words: *military bases*

[@PelicanGuy]

I will be dead and in the ground before I-49 is finished in Louisiana.

[@carlstevens781]

As an Arkansan that’s 24 years old, I’ve come to the conclusion that by the time it’s finished in Arkansas, I’ll be too old to drive. That or autonomous vehicles will be fully up & running

[@rogersmith7396]

Maybe they can get a loan from CA.

[@timothyjohnston4083]

I-69 in Louisiana ???

[@lazygongfarmer2044]

Does not and will not exist anytime soon, unfortunately. Louisiana refuses to build it without federal funding. Given the state's poverty and crumbling infrastructure, i can hardly blame them. Gotta have running water more than anything

[@cigarsgunsanddiesel8032]

12:28 #Giggity