Arkansas Highway 612

Highway 612, known as the Springdale Northern Bypass is the temporary designation of the future U.S. Route 412 (US 412) bypass around Springdale in the U.S. state of Arkansas. It currently consists of a four-lane freeway from a temporary at-grade intersection with Highway 112 south of Cave Springs to an interchange with Interstate 49 (I-49) at Lowell.

Highway 612
Springdale Northern Bypass
Open segment as of 2018 in red
Route information
Maintained by ArDOT
Length4.8 mi[1][2] (7.7 km)
Existed2018–present
Major junctions
West end AR 112 in Springdale
East end I-49 near Lowell
Location
CountiesBenton
Highway system
← I-555I-630 →

Once completed, the highway is planned to act as a bypass of US 412 around Springdale, relieving traffic and improving travel between the city and Northwest Arkansas National Airport. The highway is planned to be a four-lane Interstate-standard divided freeway. Currently, there is no scheduled date for when the remaining highway sections will be built.

Route description

As of 2018, Highway 612 begins at a partially completed diamond interchange with Highway 112 within the city limits of Springdale signed as exit 9. The two halves of the roadway come together and become a four-lane freeway (two lanes in each direction) traveling east. The highway crosses over Spring Creek and passes to the north of a quarry. The freeway currently ends at a partially completed stack interchange with I-49 and US 71 just outside the limits of Lowell.[1]

Once completed, Highway 612 is planned to run from an interchange with US 412 west of Tontitown to US 412 east of Sonora and just west of Beaver Lake. The route will run near the Northwest Arkansas National Airport and bypass Springdale to the north.

History

Construction of the highway began in April 2015 after getting funding through a 10-year, half-cent sales tax generated from a 2012 vote.[3] The first 4.5-mile (7.2 km) section of the highway was planned to be finished by mid-2019. However, the entire route was completed a year ahead of schedule, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 18, 2018. The highway cost $100.6 million. The four-lane divided highway includes 14 bridges and is the largest project ever completed by Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT).[4] However, the highway did not officially open to traffic until April 30, 2018.[2][5]

On October 18, 2018, Highway 612 was designated the "Springdale Officer John T. Hussey Memorial Highway" in honor of the Springdale Police Department officer kidnapped and killed after a traffic stop on December 21, 1975.[6]

Future

The remaining portions of the highway have no set dates of completion, due to the need for funding and for the acquisition of land by ArDOT. As funding for the project becomes available, the highway will be completed in sections.[7][8]

Exit list

The entire route is in Benton County.

Locationmi[1]kmExitDestinationsNotes
Springdale0.0–
0.4		0.0–
0.64		9 AR 112 – Elm Springs, Cave Springs
​3.8–
4.8		6.1–
7.7		 I-49 / US 71 – Lowell, Springdale, FayettevilleExit 77 (I-49)
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also
  •  United States portal
  •  U.S. Roads portal

References
  1. Google (December 19, 2019). "Arkansas Highway 612" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  2. Jones, Melissa (April 30, 2018). "Springdale Northern Bypass Opens to Traffic". 5News. Fort Smith, AR: KFSM-TV. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  3. Della Rosa, Jeff (April 18, 2018). "Crowd Welcomes Completion of $100 Million Section of US 412 Bypass". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  4. Northwest Arkansas Council (April 18, 2018). "New Highway Investment Will Improve Trip to XNA". Northwest Arkansas Council. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  5. Roberts, Adam (April 18, 2018). "Highway 612 in Springdale to Open April 30". 40/29 News. Fort Smith, AR: KHBS-TV. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  6. Joenks, Laurinda (October 19, 2018). "Highway honors fallen Springdale officer". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock, AR: WEHCO Media. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  7. Gilker, Kathryn (January 30, 2018). "Highway 412 Northern Bypass Nears Completion Ahead of Schedule". 5News. Fort Smith, AR: KFSM-TV. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  8. Wood, Ron (April 19, 2018). "Section of 412 Bypass Completed, Opens Soon". Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
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