Congressional Delegations Announce $25 Million Grant for Critical Segment of I-49

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR), along with U.S. Representatives Billy Long (MO-07) and Steve Womack (AR-03), announced that $25 million in federal funds has been awarded toward completing a critical segment of Interstate 49.

The states have worked to complete this 18.9-mile section of I-49 at the Missouri–Arkansas line for more than 25 years. Funding for the project comes through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) programme.

"Completion of the critical stretch of the I-49 Arkansas–Missouri Connector is 25 years in the making and I'm thrilled we're one step closer to getting it done," said Senator Blunt.

"Interstate access heralds the continued economic growth of any area, which is why completing the Bella Vista bypass is vital for Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri," said Representative Womack.

"The completion of the I-49 corridor is long overdue," Long said. "Today's announcement is great news for individuals and businesses in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas who have been waiting on this."

I-49 is one of the two interstate corridors that make the Neosho area attractive to manufacturers and distributors.