Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has begun improvements on the Highway 49 (Southwest Drive) and Parker Road intersection.

ARDOT communications division head Dave Parker said in an email that the prime contractor for the project was Rogers Group, Inc., and the subcontractor was Sugg Construction, which began earthwork around three weeks ago. 

“The purpose of the project is to improve the intersection of Hwy. 49 and Parker Rd. by adding capacity through lane additions,” Parker said. “Stage 1 will consist of notch and widening to the west side of Hwy. 49 and the west leg of the intersection. Stage 2 will consist of notch and widening to the east side of Hwy. 49 and the east leg of the intersection.”

The contracted amount of the project is $5,984,873.85, he said.

According to the ARDOT – District 10 website’s Construction Projects by County tab, the project (Job no. 100879) will make safety improvements to the intersection. It did not list an estimated completion date.

An environmental document for the project approved in April 2019 said the City of Jonesboro had proposed widening a portion of Highway 49 and improving the Highway 49/Parker Road intersection.

“The purpose of the proposed widening project is to improve capacity, improve the current level of service, and to accommodate future traffic growth. Highway 49 and Parker Road are primary roadways in Jonesboro, and their intersection is heavily traveled,” it said.

This document noted several proposed improvements to the intersection, which are listed below.

Highway 49, north of Parker Road intersection:

• Eight-foot-wide shoulders and a total of eight lanes, including two southbound through lanes
• One right-turn lane
• Two left-turn lanes
• Two northbound through lanes
• One right-turn lane

Highway 49, south of the Parker Road intersection:

• Eight-foot-wide shoulders with curb and a total of eight lanes, including two southbound through lanes
• Three northbound through lanes
• One right-turn lane
• One left-turn lane
• One channelized area

A five-foot-wide sidewalk on both sides of the roadway would also be constructed.

Parker Road, west of the Highway 49 intersection:

• Eight-foot-wide shoulders with curb and a total of five lanes, including one westbound through lane
• Two eastbound through lanes
• Two left-turn lanes 

A five-foot-wide sidewalk on both sides of the roadway would be constructed, although bike lanes would not.

Parker Road, east of the Highway 49 intersection:

• Eight-foot-wide open shoulders and a total of six lanes, including one westbound through lane
• One right-turn lane
• One left-turn lane
• One channelized area
• Two eastbound through lanes