BELLA VISTA — Members of the highway commissions from Missouri and Arkansas will meet next week in Bella Vista to show support for the proposed Bella Vista bypass.

The luncheon, hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Council, will be Thursday, Aug. 20, at 11:30 a.m. at the Bella Vista Country Club.

In addition to the commissioners, transportation officials and members of the congressional delegations from both states are expected to attend. Local elected officials and community leaders will also be invited.

The proposed bypass will be approximately 20 miles in length, extending from U.S. Highway 71 just south of Bella Vista to U.S. 71 near Pineville, Mo. Arkansas' portion is approximately 15 miles in length, while the Missouri section will be about 5 miles.

Arkansas and Missouri will submit a joint application to the U.S. Department of Transportation requesting funding for construction of Arkansas' portion of the bypass through a $1.5 billion discretionary grant program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The grant application must be submitted by Sept. 15. Recipients will be announced in January.

Funding for the construction of Missouri's portion was secured when Missouri voters approved the transfer of the sales tax on new and used vehicles from the general fund to the highway fund in 2004.

"We are excited about the opportunity to apply for this grant," Arkansas Commissioner Dick Trammel said. "This is a very important project for both states, and obtaining this stimulus grant is a big step in getting the Bella Vista bypass constructed as quickly as possible."

News, Pages 5 on 08/19/2009

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