Mayor Harold Copenhaver and City of Jonesboro leadership joined ARDOT officials in a preconstruction meeting with contractors and subcontractors on the MLK eastern bypass Thursday.
The bypass that ARDOT will build will create a four-lane connector from Interstate 555 at the MLK exit to U.S. 49 at Farville Curve.
At a cost of $61 million, construction will be completed in late 2025 or early 2026.
Copenhaver said the bypass will reduce pass-through traffic in the city, especially on Red Wolf Boulevard, making commutes easier for residents and visitors shopping and doing business in Jonesboro.
“This will change the traffic flow in Jonesboro for the good for decades to come,” Copenhaver said. “I thank ARDOT for their incredible investment in this project, from Director Lori Tudor to Commissioner Alec Farmer to the engineers here today, Brad Smithee and Aaron Vowell.”