Arkansas Highway 247

Highway 247 (AR 247, Ark. 247, and Hwy. 247) is a designation for four north–south state highways in the Arkansas River Valley. Two are low traffic, two-lane, rural connector highways serving sparsely populated areas of the River Valley. A third segment is a four-lane divided highway bypassing Pottsville. A fourth segment mostly runs as Poor Farm Road in Morrilton among several educational buildings in the city. The first rural segment was created in 1957, with the Morrilton segment created in 1965 and a second rural segment in 1966. The final designation came in 1973. All segments are maintained by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT).

Highway 247
Route information
Maintained by ArDOT
Location
CountiesPope, Conway, Perry
Highway system
← AR 246AR 248 →

Russellville to Pottsville

Highway 247
LocationPope County, Arkansas
Length7.73 mi[1] (12.44 km)
ExistedNovember 23, 1966[2]–present

Highway 247 (AR 247, Ark. 247, and Hwy. 247) is a north–south state highway in southern Pope County. The highway connects Pottsville and I-40 to southern Russellville along the Arkansas Valley Plains.[3] The route is a former alignment of the Butterfield Overland Mail, a predecessor of the Pony Express running from Memphis, Tennessee to California in the 1850s.

Route description

Highway 247 begins at Highway 7 (Arkansas Avenue/Scenic 7 Byway) in southern Russellville just east of Whig Creek, and less than one mile (1.6 km) from the Arkansas River.[4] The highway runs east along the southern city limits of Russellville through a largely vacant industrial area, shortly passing through unincorporated area before entering Pottsville. Though within city limits, Highway 247 continues due east through mostly undeveloped terrain, crossing the Tanyard Branch and Galla Creek before turning north. Highway 247 passes over the Union Pacific Railway tracks just before an intersection with US Highway 64 (US 64) and Highway 363 (Crow Mountain Drive) just south of Interstate 40 (I-40).[5][6]

The ArDOT maintains Highway 247 like all other parts of the state highway system. As a part of these responsibilities, the Department tracks the volume of traffic using its roads in surveys using a metric called average annual daily traffic (AADT). ArDOT estimates the traffic level for a segment of roadway for any average day of the year in these surveys. As of 2017, estimates in Russellville were 6,900 vehicles per day (VPD), with 4,700 VPD near the northern terminus in Pottsville.[7] This segment of Highway 247 is part of the National Highway System (NHS),[1] a network of roads important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility.[8]

History

The Arkansas State Highway Commission created a segment of Highway 247 along a county road between Highway 7 in North Dardanelle and US 64 in Pottsville on November 23, 1966.[2] Following construction of a $34.7 million ($40.7 million today) widening and extension project known colloquially as the Pottsville Bypass,[9] Highway 247 was rerouted in 2013.[10] The Pottsville City Council voted to name the highway the Butterfield Stagecoach Bypass in 2011.[11]

Major intersections

The entire route is in Pope County.

Locationmi[1][12]kmDestinationsNotes
Russellville0.000.00 AR 7 (Arkansas Avenue / Scenic 7 Byway) – Dardanelle, RussellvilleSouthern terminus
Pottsville7.7312.44 US 64 / AR 363 north (Crow Mountain Drive) to I-40 – Pottsville, AtkinsNorthern terminus, AR 363 southern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Atkins to Hattieville

Highway 247
LocationPope and Conway counties
Length10.165 mi[1] (16.359 km)
ExistedJuly 10, 1957[13]–present

Highway 247 (AR 247, Ark. 247, and Hwy. 247) is a north–south state highway in the Arkansas Valley Plains.[3]

Route description

Highway 247 begins at Highway 105 north of Atkins. The highways runs eastward through a sparsely populated rural area, passing through the unincorporated community of Economy before crossing Point Remove Creek and entering Conway County.[6] Highway 247 turns southeastward, intersecting three county roads that lead to the Ed Gordon Point Remove Wildlife Management Area.[14] The highway terminates at an intersection with Highway 213.[15]

Highway 247 had a peak AADT of 1,200 VPD near the Highway 105 intersection, dropping as low as 350 VPD near the Pope-Conway county line.[7] The segment is not listed on the NHS.[1]

History

The Highway Commission created Highway 247 from Highway 105 near Atkins north to Economy on July 10, 1957 during a period of expansion in the state highway system.[13] The Arkansas General Assembly passed the Act 148 of 1957, the Milum Road Act, creating 10–12 miles (16–19 km) of new state highways in each county.[16] It was extended east to Hattieville on June 23, 1965.[17]

Major intersections
CountyLocationmi[1][12]kmDestinationsNotes
Pope​0.0000.000 AR 105 – Atkins, HectorSouthern terminus
​5.6529.096Bridge over Point Remove Creek
Conway​10.16516.359 AR 213 – Hattieville, Morrilton, Old HickoryNorthern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Morrilton

Highway 247
LocationMorrilton
Length1.726 mi[1] (2.778 km)
ExistedJune 23, 1965[17]–present

Highway 247 (AR 247, Ark. 247, and Hwy. 247) is a north–south state highway mostly in Morrilton.[3]

Route description

Highway 247 begins in Morrilton, a small city in the Arkansas River Valley along I-40. Starting at an intersection with Highway 9 Spur in the north part of Morrilton, Highway 247 runs due north as a section line road named Poor Farm Road past Morrilton High School and Morrilton Junior High School. Highway 247 has a junction with Highway 132 (University Boulevard) just west of the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton campus. Continuing due north, Highway 247 passes the Morrilton Intermediate School before crossing over I-40 with an overpass (no access).[18] Now outside the Morrilton city limits, Highway 247 serves a rural area, passing the River Valley Technical Center before an intersection with Highway 95, where it terminates.[15]

Highway 247 had a peak AADT of 3,100 VPD near Morrilton High School, dropping to 2,400 north of I-40.[7] The segment is not listed on the NHS.[1]

History

The Highway Commission created Highway 247 on June 23, 1965.[17]

Major intersections

The entire route is in Conway County.

Locationmi[1][12]kmDestinationsNotes
Morrilton0.0000.000 AR 9S (Harding Street)Southern terminus
AR 132 (University Boulevard)
​1.7262.778 AR 95 – Morrilton, Saint VincentNorthern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Petit Jean State Park

Highway 247
LocationPetit Jean State Park vicinity
Length4.515 mi[1] (7.266 km)
ExistedMarch 28, 1973[19]–present

Highway 247 (AR 247, Ark. 247, and Hwy. 247) is a short north–south state highway connecting two highways near Casa in the vicinity of Petit Jean State Park.[3]

Route description

Highway 247 begins at Highway 155 in Perry County approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Casa in a steep section of the typically flat Arkansas River Valley. The rural, two-lane highway ascends Cove Mountain[20] and enters Conway County.[21] Highway 247 continues northward to Pontoon, where it terminates at an intersection with Highway 154 near the Petit Jean River and the Yell County line.[15]

Highway 247 had an AADT of 180 VPD in 2018.[7] For reference, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) classifies roads with fewer than 400 vehicles per day as a very low volume local road. The segment is not listed on the NHS.[1]

History

A fourth segment of Highway 247 was created along an existing county road between Pontoon and the Conway-Perry county line on March 28, 1973, during a period of highway system expansion after Act 9 of 1973 was passed by the Arkansas General Assembly.[19] The act directed county judges and legislators to designate up to 12 miles (19 km) of county roads as state highways in each county.[16] Two months later, it was extended south to the current southern terminus.[22]

Major intersections
CountyLocation[6]mi[12]kmDestinationsNotes
Perry​0.0000.000 AR 155Southern terminus
ConwayPontoon4.5157.266 AR 154 – Oppelo, CentervilleNorthern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
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See also
  •  United States portal
  •  U.S. Roads portal
  • List of Arkansas state highways

References
  1. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (2015). "Arkansas Road Log Database" (MDB). Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  2. "Minutes" (1953–69), p. 566.
  3.  This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Environmental Protection Agency document: "US Level IV Ecoregions shapefile with state boundaries (SHP file)". Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  4. Transportation Planning and Policy Division (August 2017). Map of Russellville, Pope County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). 1:12,000. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. §§ M6–M11. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  5. Transportation Planning and Policy Division (August 2012). Map of Pottsville, Pope County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). 1:12,000. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. §§ B7, C7, D7, E1–E7. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  6. Transportation Planning and Policy Division (August 21, 2017) [June 19, 2007]. General Highway Map, Pope County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map) (Revised ed.). 1:62,500. Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. OCLC 918569164. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  7. System Information & Research Division (2017). Annual Average Daily Traffic Estimates (GIS Map) (Map). Various. Arkansas Department of Transportation. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  8. Natzke, Stefan; Neathery, Mike & Adderly, Kevin (June 29, 2017). "What is the National Highway System?". National Highway System. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  9. Tolliver, Preston (May 4, 2012). "New bypass dedication set for May 11". The Russellville Courier. Russellville, AR – via Newsbank.
  10. "Minutes of the Meeting of the Arkansas State Highway Commission" (PDF). Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway Commission. 2010–2019. p. 363. OCLC 21798861. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  11. Williams, Lindsey (September 27, 2011). "Pottsville City Council names State Highway 247 bypass". The Russellville Courier. Russellville, AR – via Newsbank.
  12. Arkansas Centerline File (GIS Map) (Map) (Updated ed.). Various. Arkansas GIS Office. December 13, 2019 [September 29, 2014]. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  13. "Minutes" (1953–69), p. 1792.
  14. GIS Staff (September 17, 2019). Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA (PDF) (Map). 1:26000. Little Rock: Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. p. 1.
  15. Transportation Planning and Policy Division (January 2, 2008) [July 19, 2000]. General Highway Map, Conway County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map) (Revised ed.). 1:62,500. Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. OCLC 910881997. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  16. Planning and Research Division, Policy Analysis Section (2010). Development of Highway and Transportation Legislation in Arkansas (PDF). A Review of the Acts Relative to Administering and Financing Highways and Transportation in Arkansas. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. p. 13. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  17. "Minutes" (1953–69), p. 672.
  18. Transportation Planning and Policy Division (September 2017). Map of Morrilton, Conway County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). 1:12,000. Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. §§ A4, B4. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  19. "Minutes" (1970–79), p. 1118.
  20. Arkansas Atlas & Gazetteer (Map) (2nd ed.). 1:200 000. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme Mapping Company. 2004. p. 40. ISBN 0-89933-345-1. OCLC 780322182.
  21. Planning and Research Division (January 4, 2008) [December 1, 1999]. General Highway Map, Conway County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map) (Revised ed.). 1:62,500. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. OCLC 915806812. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  22. "Minutes" (1970–79), p. 1169.

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