Bella Vista Bypass will complete Interstate 49

Challenge

Missouri Department of Transportation was ready to resurrect old plans for Bella Vista Bypass to complete the final five miles of Interstate 49 from Pineville, Missouri, to the Arkansas state line. However, the old design and construction plans exceeded the current project budget.

Project challenges include:

• Creating new interstate through open, undeveloped ground
• Remote location in southwest Missouri
• Rugged terrain requiring deep rock cuts and backfilling, with elevation changes equivalent to a 20-story building
• Expedited schedule of 18 months, approximately half the time required under normal circumstances

Solution

Working with Missouri-based civil contracting firm Emery Sapp & Sons, Bartlett & West redesigned the original plans for Bella Vista Bypass in an effort to reduce project costs. The design was selected by MoDOT through a competitive process called Alternative Technical Concepts.

Value

The new design saved MoDOT more than $6 million. Upon completion, Interstate 49 will run a continuous 290 miles between Kansas City, Missouri, and Fort Smith, Arkansas.