By Rob Moritz
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Highway Commission voted today to apply for federal highway stimulus money as partial payment for the Bella Vista bypass project in Northwest Arkansas, funding that also would include tolls.
Under the application, which must be submitted by Sept. 15, the state will request $145.5 million stimulus funding. The remaining $79.5 million of the $225 million project would be paid for with toll revenue collected from motorists traveling the 15-mile stretch that would become Arkansas’ first toll road.
Scott Bennett, assistant chief engineer with the state Highway and Transportation Department, recommended applying for the $145.5 million, rather than the full $225 million, because of the competitive nature of the grant process.
“I think we’re going to see applications in the thousands,” Bennett told the commission, adding that $225 million was about 15 percent of the total federal money available.
“If we apply for all $225 million, I think there’s a better chance that we get zero,” Bennett said. “If we apply for $145 million and we’re putting in the toll revenue, I can’t tell you that we’ll get $145 million, but our chance of getting anything is going to go up dramatically.”
After the meeting, commissioner Dick Trammel of Rogers said he realized people in Northwest Arkansas did not necessarily like the idea of paying tolls, but he said they are needed if the bypass is to be built.
“The only way we can build the Bella Vista bypass, in my opinion, is if we get the grant and toll this road,” Trammel said. “I’m excited for the he whole community. We may have a road that would carry the traffic volume that we are creating in a safe and functional manner that’s good for the area,” he said.
Also during the meeting, Martine Downs Pollard, senior vice president of government affairs for the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, reminded the commission of a meeting scheduled for Thursday with Missouri highway officials in Bella Vista.
The meeting, at the Bella Vista Country Club, is being held to discuss the bypass and show support for the project, Downs said.
Along with about 15 miles in Arkansas, the bypass includes about 5 miles in Missouri.
Missouri has its money in reserve to link to the Arkansas portion when it is built.
U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., along with U.S. Reps. John Boozman, R-Rogers, Marion Berry, D-Gillett, and Rep Ray Blunt, R-Mo., are expected to attend the meeting.
The amount of tolls that would be charged has not been decided, but state highway department spokesman Randy Ort said it would likely be 10 cents to 15 cents a mile for a passenger car, or $1.50 to $2.25 for the full 15-mile length.
