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{{Short description|Highway in Arkansas}}
{{Short description|Highway in Arkansas}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox road
{{Infobox road
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|route=540
|route=540
|type=I
|type=I
|map={{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=320|frame-lat=35.374|frame-long=-94.377|zoom=11|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/Interstate 540 (Arkansas)}}}}
|map={{maplink-road |from=Interstate 540 (Arkansas).map}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=I-540 highlighted in red
|map_notes=I-540 highlighted in red
|length_mi=14.71
|length_mi=14.7
|length_ref=<ref name="db">{{cite web|url=http://www.arkansashighways.com/planning_research/technical_services/databases/Road%20Log%20Database.zip |title=Arkansas Road Log Database |author=Planning and Research Division |year=2010 |publisher=Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |format=Database |access-date=June 9, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623010127/http://arkansashighways.com/planning_research/technical_services/databases/Road%20Log%20Database.zip |archive-date=June 23, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
|length_ref=<ref name="db">{{cite web|url=http://www.arkansashighways.com/planning_research/technical_services/databases/Road%20Log%20Database.zip |title=Arkansas Road Log Database |author=Planning and Research Division |year=2010 |publisher=Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |format=Database |access-date=June 9, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623010127/http://arkansashighways.com/planning_research/technical_services/databases/Road%20Log%20Database.zip |archive-date=June 23, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
|established=1965
|established=1965
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|spur_of=40
|spur_of=40
|direction_a=South
|direction_a=South
|terminus_a={{jct|state=AR|US|271|AR|253}} near [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]]
|terminus_a={{jct|state=OK|US|271|SH|9}} at [[Oklahoma]] state line
|junction={{plainlist|
|junction={{plainlist|
*{{jct|state=AR|US|71}} in Fort Smith
*{{jct|state=AR|US|71|US|71B|dab2=Fort Smith}} in [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]]
*{{jct|state=AR|US|64}} in [[Van Buren, Arkansas|Van Buren]]
*{{jct|state=AR|US|64|US|71B|dab2=Fort Smith}} in [[Van Buren, Arkansas|Van Buren]]
}}
}}
|direction_b=North
|direction_b=North
Line 27: Line 28:
|next_route=549
|next_route=549
}}
}}
'''Interstate 540''' ('''I-540''') is a [[freeway]] [[Spur (Highway)|spur]] route of [[Interstate 40 in Arkansas|I-40]] in the US state of [[Arkansas]] in [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]]. The total length is {{convert|14.71|mi|km|2}}.<ref name="db" /> At first, I-540 was a short spur connecting Fort Smith and [[Van Buren, Arkansas|Van Buren]] to I-40 as one of the original five Arkansas Interstates.<ref>{{cite book |author= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title= Historical Review: Arkansas State Highway Commission and Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, 1913–1992 |date= 1992 |publisher= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |location=Little Rock |page= 89 |chapter= The Beginning of the Mack-Blackwell Years }}</ref> The route ran just over {{convert|14|mi|km}} to [[U.S. Route 271 in Oklahoma|US 271]] near the [[Oklahoma]] state line.<ref>{{cite map |author= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |year= 1988 |title= Highway Map of Arkansas |location= Little Rock |publisher= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |url= http://www.arkansashighways.com/planning_research/mapping_graphics/archived_tourist_maps/1988.tif |format= TIFF |access-date= March 20, 2012 }}</ref> The growing [[Northwest Arkansas]] area and the [[University of Arkansas]] needed an Interstate connection to [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], and through traffic north to [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] had also outgrown the winding [[U.S. Route 71 in Arkansas|US 71]] north from I-40. The route was extended north to [[Mountainburg, Arkansas|Mountainburg]] in the late 1990s on an all-new alignment (going under concurrency with I-40, one of the only auxiliary routes with a concurrency with its parent) with the route being completed to [[Bella Vista, Arkansas|Bella Vista]] in January 1999.<ref>{{cite book |author= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title= Historical Review Volume Two: Arkansas State Highway Commission and Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, 1913–2003 |year= 2004 |publisher= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |location=Little Rock |chapter= The 90s }}</ref> However, the segment north of I-40 became a part of [[Interstate 49 (Arkansas)|Interstate 49]] in 2014.
'''Interstate&nbsp;540''' ('''I-540''') is a [[freeway]] [[Spur (Highway)|spur]] route of [[Interstate 40 in Arkansas|I-40]] in the US state of [[Arkansas]] in [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]]. The total length is {{convert|14.7|mi|km}}.<ref name="db" /> At first, I-540 was a short spur connecting Fort Smith and [[Van Buren, Arkansas|Van Buren]] to I-40 as one of the original five Arkansas Interstates.<ref>{{cite book |author= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title= Historical Review: Arkansas State Highway Commission and Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, 1913–1992 |date= 1992 |publisher= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |location=Little Rock |page= 89 |chapter= The Beginning of the Mack-Blackwell Years }}</ref> The route ran {{convert|14.7|mi|km}} to [[U.S. Route 271|U.S. Highway&nbsp;271]] (US&nbsp;271) near the [[Oklahoma]] state line.<ref>{{cite map |author= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |year= 1988 |title= Highway Map of Arkansas |location= Little Rock |publisher= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |url= http://www.arkansashighways.com/planning_research/mapping_graphics/archived_tourist_maps/1988.tif |format= TIFF |access-date= March 20, 2012 }}</ref> The growing [[Northwest Arkansas]] area and the [[University of Arkansas]] needed an Interstate connection to [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], and through traffic north to [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] had also outgrown the winding [[U.S. Route 71 in Arkansas|US&nbsp;71]] north from I-40. The route was extended north to [[Mountainburg, Arkansas|Mountainburg]] in the late 1990s on an all-new alignment (going under concurrency with I-40, one of the only auxiliary routes with a concurrency with its parent) with the route being completed to [[Bella Vista, Arkansas|Bella Vista]] in January&nbsp;1999.<ref>{{cite book |author= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title= Historical Review Volume Two: Arkansas State Highway Commission and Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, 1913–2003 |year= 2004 |publisher= Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |location=Little Rock |chapter= The 90s }}</ref> However, the segment north of I-40 became a part of [[Interstate 49 in Arkansas|I-49]] in 2014.


==Route description==
==Route description==
The older portion of I-540, completed in the 1970s, connects [[Interstate 40]] southward to the [[Oklahoma]] state line, going through [[Van Buren, Arkansas|Van Buren]] and [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]]. This particular spur starts at Exit 7 on Interstate 40 (being 7 miles (11&nbsp;km) east of the state line with Oklahoma). That point marks mile zero on this spur, in keeping with Interstate Highway rules that spur mileage begins at the "parent" route. The first 3 miles (5&nbsp;km) are through Van Buren, before the bridge over the [[Arkansas River]]. The remainder, for a grand total of approximately {{convert|15|mi|km}}, travels through Fort Smith. AHTD bid a $79 million project in 2013 for I-540 rehabilitation in Fort Smith that includes re-signing the route and renumbering the exits.<ref>{{cite news |last= Mitchell |first= Aric |title= I-540 in Fort Smith, Van Buren Set for $78 Million Rehab |date= January 7, 2013 |publisher= The City Wire |url= http://www.thecitywire.com/node/25887#.Urn4sPRDsk0 |access-date= December 24, 2013 }}</ref>
The older portion of I-540, completed in the 1970s, connects [[Interstate 40 in Arkansas|I-40]] southward to the [[Oklahoma]] state line, going through [[Van Buren, Arkansas|Van Buren]] and [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]]. This particular spur starts at exit&nbsp;7 on I-40 (being {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} east of the state line with Oklahoma). That point marks mile&nbsp;0 on this spur, in keeping with Interstate Highway rules that spur mileage begins at the "parent" route. The first {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}} are through Van Buren before the bridge over the [[Arkansas River]]. The remainder, for a grand total of approximately {{convert|15|mi|km}}, travels through Fort Smith. The [[Arkansas Department of Transportation|Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department]] (AHTD), now the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT), bid a $79-million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|79000000|2013}}}} in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP}}) project in 2013 for I-540 rehabilitation in Fort Smith that includes resigning the route and renumbering the exits.<ref>{{cite news |last= Mitchell |first= Aric |title= I-540 in Fort Smith, Van Buren Set for $78 Million Rehab |date= January 7, 2013 |publisher= The City Wire |url= http://www.thecitywire.com/node/25887#.Urn4sPRDsk0 |access-date= December 24, 2013 }}</ref>


===Fort Smith route===
===Fort Smith route===
Beginning at the I-540 and I-40 junction in Van Buren, the route begins southward along the eastern boundary of Van Buren, with exits numbered sequentially heading south. The segment is largely [[Concurrency (road)|concurrent]] with [[U.S. Route 71 in Arkansas and Texas|US&nbsp;71]]. The first exit along this segment of I-540/US&nbsp;71 is with [[U.S. Route 64 in Arkansas|US&nbsp;64]] and [[U.S. Route 71B (Fort Smith, Arkansas)|US&nbsp;71B]] (US&nbsp;71B), which leads west into the [[Van Buren Historic District]] and east to [[Alma, Arkansas|Alma]]. Continuing south, I-540/US 71 passes over [[Arkansas Highway 162|Highway&nbsp;162 (Kibler Road)]], with no access between the routes. An exit providing access to [[Arkansas Highway 59|Highway&nbsp;59]], via Riggs Drive (southbound) or Twin Circle Drive (northbound), is just prior crossing the [[Arkansas River]]. After crossing the river, the highways enter Fort Smith and Sebastian County. I-540/US 71 run through a commercial area and has three exits with city collector roads before an exit for Phoenix Avenue, which gives access to [[Fort Smith Regional Airport]]. However, this exit does not have any access to southbound I-540/US 71.
Beginning at the I-540 and I-40 junction in Van Buren, the route begins southward along the eastern boundary of Van Buren, with exits numbered sequentially heading south. The segment is largely [[Concurrency (road)|concurrent]] with [[U.S. Route 71 in Arkansas|US&nbsp;71]]. The first exit along this segment of I-540/US&nbsp;71 is with [[U.S. Route 64 in Arkansas|US&nbsp;64]] and [[U.S. Route 71B (Fort Smith, Arkansas)|U.S. Highway&nbsp;71 Business]] (US&nbsp;71B), which leads west into the [[Van Buren Historic District]] and east to [[Alma, Arkansas|Alma]]. Continuing south, I-540/US&nbsp;71 passes over [[Arkansas Highway 162|Highway&nbsp;162]] (AR&nbsp;162, Kibler Road), with no access between the routes. An exit providing access to [[AR 59]], via Riggs Drive (southbound) or Twin Circle Drive (northbound), is just prior crossing the [[Arkansas River]]. After crossing the river, the highways enter Fort Smith and Sebastian County. I-540/US&nbsp;71 run through a commercial area and has three exits with city collector roads before an exit for Phoenix Avenue, which gives access to [[Fort Smith Regional Airport]]. However, this exit does not have any access to southbound I-540/US&nbsp;71.


Now turning toward the southwest, I-540/US 71 have exits with [[Arkansas Highway 45|Highway&nbsp;45 (Greenwood Road)]] and [[Arkansas Highway 255|Highway&nbsp;255 (Zero Street)]]. Following these intersections, US 71 departs I-540 southbound toward [[Texarkana, Arkansas|Texarkana]], with US 71B terminating at the parent route at the exit. I-540 begins to pass through a residential area before its final exit at [[U.S. Route 271|US&nbsp;271]] and [[Arkansas Highway 253|Highway&nbsp;253]]. Following this exit, the roadway continues but ceases to be I-540, becoming US&nbsp;271 and entering [[Oklahoma]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}
Now turning toward the southwest, I-540/US&nbsp;71 have exits with [[AR 45]] (Greenwood Road) and [[AR 255]] (Zero Street). Following these intersections, US&nbsp;71 departs I-540 southbound toward [[Texarkana, Arkansas|Texarkana]], with US&nbsp;71B terminating at the parent route at the exit. I-540 begins to pass through a residential area before its final exit at [[U.S. Route 271 in Arkansas|US&nbsp;271]] and [[AR 253]]. Following this exit, the roadway continues but ceases to be I-540, becoming US&nbsp;271 and entering [[Oklahoma]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2016}}


==History==
==History==
The Interstate spur opened in phases. According to a 1970 road map of Fort Smith,{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} exits 2-11 (Van Buren through the Zero Street exit) were opened, with later exits (12-14) and the roadway itself still under construction. Portions of the roadway that became I-540 around Fayetteville were built in the early 1970s, but upgraded and extended in the mid-1990s. The highway around Fayetteville originally received US 71 signage until the complete I-540 spur was opened.
The Interstate spur opened in phases. According to a 1970 road map of Fort Smith,{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} exits&nbsp;2–11 (Van Buren through the Zero Street exit) were opened, with later exits (12–14) and the roadway itself still under construction. Portions of the roadway that became I-540 around Fayetteville were built in the early 1970s but upgraded and extended in the mid-1990s. The highway around Fayetteville originally received [[U.S. Route 71 in Arkansas|US&nbsp;71]] signage until the complete I-540 spur was opened.


Originally, I-540 running from I-40 to Oklahoma through Fort Smith was originally signed east–west, but with the construction of the spur that ran north through [[Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers Metropolitan Area|Northwest Arkansas]] to [[Bella Vista, Arkansas|Bella Vista]] the entire I-540 was resigned as a north–south road. It is one of the few that have changed this way.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}
Originally, I-540 running from I-40 to Oklahoma through Fort Smith was originally signed east–west, but, with the construction of the spur that ran north through [[Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers Metropolitan Area|Northwest Arkansas]] to [[Bella Vista, Arkansas|Bella Vista]], the entire I-540 was resigned as a north–south road. It is one of the few that have changed this way.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}


In the late 1990s, I-540 was extended into Northwest Arkansas. It had been planned since the 1970s as a bypass of [[U.S. Highway 71 (Arkansas)|U.S. Highway 71]]. The first section, between Alma and [[Mountainburg, Arkansas|Mountainburg]] was known as [[Arkansas Highway 540]]. Originally, the [[Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department]] (AHTD) asked the [[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials]] (AASHTO), who are in charge of Interstate and U.S. Highway route numbering, to allow the Interstate segment between Fort Smith and Bentonville to be named I-49, in order to emphasize plans to extend the route from [[Shreveport, Louisiana]], through Arkansas to [[Kansas City, Missouri]].<ref>{{cite web |author= Arkansas State Highway Commission |author-link= Arkansas State Highway Commission |url=http://www.arkansashighways.com/minute_orders/Mo90-99.pdf |title= Minutes of the Meeting |date= January 22, 1991 |publisher= Arkansas State Highway Commission |page= 868 |access-date= December 24, 2013 }}</ref> AASHTO refused and the route opened on January 8, 1999, as a northern extension of I-540.<ref>{{cite web |author= Arkansas State Highway Commission |url=http://www.arkansashighways.com/minute_orders/Mo90-99.pdf |title= Minutes of the Meeting |date= August 6, 1997 |publisher=Arkansas State Highway Commission |page= 960 |access-date= December 24, 2013 }}</ref> On October 18, 2013, AASHTO approved AHTD's application to designate I-49 across the state, specifically allowing the state to renumber I-540 as I-49.<ref name=Vitale>{{AASHTO minutes |year=2013A |access-date= May 4, 2014 |page=2}}</ref> The northern section of I-540 was renumbered I-49 in April 2014.<ref>{{cite news |last= Rozelle |first= Jonathan |title= I-540 Becomes Interstate 49 |url= http://www.4029tv.com/news/interstate-540-becomes-interstate-49-tuesday/25596626 |publisher= KHBS/KHOG-TV |access-date=May 4, 2014 |location= Fort Smith–Rogers, AR }}</ref>
In the late 1990s, I-540 was extended into Northwest Arkansas. It had been planned since the 1970s as a bypass of US&nbsp;71. The first section, between Alma and [[Mountainburg, Arkansas|Mountainburg]], was known as [[AR 540]]. Originally, the [[AHTD]] asked the [[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials]] (AASHTO), who are in charge of Interstate and U.S. Highway route numbering, to allow the Interstate segment between Fort Smith and Bentonville to be named I-49 in order to emphasize plans to extend the route from [[Shreveport, Louisiana]], through Arkansas to [[Kansas City, Missouri]].<ref>{{cite web |author= Arkansas State Highway Commission |author-link= Arkansas State Highway Commission |url=http://www.arkansashighways.com/minute_orders/Mo90-99.pdf |title= Minutes of the Meeting |date= January 22, 1991 |publisher= Arkansas State Highway Commission |page= 868 |access-date= December 24, 2013 }}</ref> AASHTO refused and the route opened on January&nbsp;8, 1999, as a northern extension of I-540.<ref>{{cite web |author= Arkansas State Highway Commission |url=http://www.arkansashighways.com/minute_orders/Mo90-99.pdf |title= Minutes of the Meeting |date= August 6, 1997 |publisher=Arkansas State Highway Commission |page= 960 |access-date= December 24, 2013 }}</ref> On October&nbsp;18, 2013, AASHTO approved AHTD's application to designate I-49 across the state, specifically allowing the state to renumber I-540 as I-49.<ref name=Vitale>{{AASHTO minutes |year=2013A |access-date= May 4, 2014 |page=2}}</ref> The northern section of I-540 was renumbered I-49 in April&nbsp;2014.<ref>{{cite news |last= Rozelle |first= Jonathan |title= I-540 Becomes Interstate 49 |url= http://www.4029tv.com/news/interstate-540-becomes-interstate-49-tuesday/25596626 |publisher= KHBS/KHOG-TV |access-date=May 4, 2014 |location= Fort Smith–Rogers, AR }}</ref>


==Exit list==
==Exit list==
Line 48: Line 49:
{{ARint|exit
{{ARint|exit
|type=concur
|type=concur
|county=Crawford
|county=Sebastian
|cspan=4
|cspan=10
|location=Van Buren
|location=none
⚫
|mile=14.72
⚫
|lspan=4
|road={{jct|state=AR|I|540|dir1=ends|I|49|dir2=north|I|40|dir3=east|US|71|dir4=north}}
|road={{jct|state=OK|US|271|dir1=south|SH|9|dir2=west|location1=[[Spiro, Oklahoma]]}}|notes=[[Oklahoma]] state line; south end of US&nbsp;271 overlap
|notes=Northern end of I-40 Concurrency; Former I-540 north; End I-540}}
⚫
{{ARint|exit
⚫
|mile=0.00
⚫
|exit=1
⚫
|road={{jct|state=AR|I|40|dir1=west|name1=[[U.S. Route 71 in Arkansas|US&nbsp;71]] north<!--not signed here-->|location1=[[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]]|city2=Little Rock|city3=Fayetteville}}
|notes=Northern end of US&nbsp;71 concurrency; formerly exit&nbsp;15; signed as left exit 1A (west) & 1B (east); I-40 exit 7; temporary concurrency with I-49; Southern end of I-40 Concurrency
}}
}}
{{ARint|exit
{{ARint|exit
⚫
|type=concur
⚫
|mile=0.55
⚫
|location=Fort Smith
⚫
|exit=2
⚫
|lspan=9
⚫
|road={{jct|state=AR|US|64|name1=[[U.S. Route 71B (Fort Smith, Arkansas)|US&nbsp;71B]]<!--not signed here-->|city1=Van Buren}}
⚫
|mile=14.06
⚫
|notes=Signed as exits 2A (west) and 2B (east)
⚫
|exit=14
⚫
|road={{Jct|state=AR|US|271|dir1=north|AR|253|dir2=south}}
⚫
|notes=North end of US&nbsp;271 overlap
}}
}}
{{ARint|exit
{{ARint|exit
|mile=2.87
|mile=13.06
|exit=3
|exit=13
⚫
|road=Jenny Lind Road
⚫
|road={{jct|state=AR|AR|59|city1=Van Buren|city1=Texarkana|I|49|to2=y}}
⚫
}}
⚫
{{jctbridge|exit
⚫
|river=[[Arkansas River]]
⚫
|mile=3.05
⚫
|mile2=3.52
|bridge=Bridge<br>[[Crawford County, Arkansas|Crawford]]-[[Sebastian County, Arkansas|Sebastian County]] Line
}}
}}
{{ARint|exit
{{ARint|exit
⚫
|type=concur
⚫
|county=Sebastian
⚫
|mile=12.14
|cspan=10
⚫
|exit=12
⚫
|location=Fort Smith
⚫
|road={{Jct|state=AR|US|71|dir1=south|US|71B|dir2=north|dab2=Fort Smith|city1=Texarkana}}
⚫
|lspan=9
|notes=South end of US&nbsp;71 overlap; US 71B not signed
⚫
|mile=4.94
⚫
|exit=5
⚫
|road=Kelley Highway
}}
}}
{{ARint|exit
{{ARint|exit
|mile=6.23
|mile=11.08
|exit=6
|exit=11
⚫
|road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|255|name1=Zero Street}}
⚫
|road=Grand Avenue
}}
}}
{{ARint|exit
{{ARint|exit
|mile=10.06
⚫
|type=concur
|mile=7.99
|mile2=10.34
|exit=8
|exit=10
|road={{jct|state=AR|AR|22|name1=Rogers Avenue|city1=Texarkana|I|49|to2=y}}
|road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|45|name1=Greenwood Road|road|Phoenix Avenue west}}
⚫
|notes=Signed as exits 8A (west) and 8B (east) southbound; temporary concurerncy with I-49
}}
}}
{{ARint|exit
{{ARint|exit
Line 106: Line 95:
}}
}}
{{ARint|exit
{{ARint|exit
|mile=10.06
|mile=7.99
⚫
|exit=8
⚫
|mile2=10.34
⚫
|road={{jct|state=AR|AR|22|name1=Rogers Avenue}}
|exit=10
⚫
|notes=Signed as exits 8B (east) and 8A (west) southbound
⚫
|road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|45|name1=Greenwood Road|road=Phoenix Avenue west}}
}}
}}
{{ARint|exit
{{ARint|exit
|mile=11.08
|mile=6.23
|exit=11
|exit=6
⚫
|road=Grand Avenue
⚫
|road={{Jct|state=AR|AR|255|name1=Zero Street}}
}}
}}
{{ARint|exit
{{ARint|exit
⚫
|mile=4.94
⚫
|type=concur
⚫
|exit=5
⚫
|mile=12.14
⚫
|road=Kelley Highway
⚫
|exit=12
⚫
}}
⚫
|road={{Jct|state=AR|US|71|dir1=south|name1=[[U.S. Route 71B (Fort Smith, Arkansas)|US 71B]] north<!--not signed here-->|city1=Texarkana|I|49|to2=y}}
⚫
{{jctbridge|exit
|notes=Southern end of US&nbsp;71 concurrency; temporary concurrency with I-49
⚫
|river=[[Arkansas River]]
⚫
|mile=3.05
⚫
|mile2=3.52
|bridge=Bridge
}}
}}
{{ARint|exit
{{ARint|exit
⚫
|county=Crawford
⚫
|mile=13.06
|exit=13
|cspan=4
⚫
|location=Van Buren
⚫
|road=Jenny Lind Road
⚫
|lspan=4
|mile=2.87
|exit=3
⚫
|road={{jct|state=AR|AR|59|city1=Van Buren}}
}}
}}
{{ARint|exit
{{ARint|exit
⚫
|mile=0.55
|type=concur
⚫
|exit=2
⚫
|mile=14.06
⚫
|road={{jct|state=AR|US|64|name1=[[U.S. Route 71B (Fort Smith, Arkansas)|US&nbsp;71B]]<!--not signed here-->|city1=Van Buren}}
⚫
|exit=14
⚫
|notes=Signed as exits 2B (east) and 2A (west)
⚫
|road={{Jct|state=AR|I|540|dir1=ends|US|271|dir2=north|AR|253|dir3=south}}
⚫
|notes=Northern end of US&nbsp;271 concurrency; End I-540
}}
}}
{{ARint|exit
{{ARint|exit
⚫
|mile=0.00
|mspan=2
⚫
|exit=1A
|road={{jct|state=AR|I|40|dir1=west|location1=[[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]]}}
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance; exit 7 on I-40
|type=incomplete
}}
⚫
{{ARint|exit
⚫
|mile=none
|exit=1B
⚫
|road={{jct|state=AR|I|40|dir1=east|name1=[[U.S. Route 71 in Arkansas|US&nbsp;71]] north<!--not signed here-->|city1=Little Rock|city2=Fayetteville}}
|notes=Northern terminus; north end of US&nbsp;71 overlap
|type=concur
|type=concur
⚫
|location=none
⚫
|mile=14.74
|road={{jct|state=OK|US|271|dir1=south|SH|9|dir2=west|location1=[[Spiro, Oklahoma]]}}|notes=Oklahoma state line; southern end of US&nbsp;271 concurrency
}}
}}
{{Jctbtm|exit|keys=concur,incomplete}}
{{Jctbtm|exit|keys=concur,incomplete}}
Line 155: Line 160:
}}
}}


'''Highway 540''' ('''AR 540''', '''Ark. 540''', and '''Hwy. 540''') was a temporary designation for what would later become Interstate 540 between [[Alma, Arkansas|Alma]] and [[Mountainburg, Arkansas|Mountainburg]] in the U.S. state of [[Arkansas]]. Traveling a distance of approximately 12 miles,{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} its southern terminus was at [[Interstate 40 in Arkansas|I-40]] west of Alma and its northern terminus at [[U.S. Route 71|US 71]] in Mountainburg.<ref name="alma to mburg begin" />
'''Highway&nbsp;540''' ('''AR&nbsp;540''', '''Ark.&nbsp;540''', and '''Hwy.&nbsp;540''') was a temporary designation for what would later become I-540 between [[Alma, Arkansas|Alma]] and [[Mountainburg, Arkansas|Mountainburg]] in the US state of [[Arkansas]]. Traveling a distance of approximately {{convert|12|mi|km}},{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} its southern terminus was at [[Interstate 40 in Arkansas|I-40]] west of Alma and its northern terminus at [[U.S. Route 71 in Arkansas|US&nbsp;71]] in Mountainburg.<ref name="alma to mburg begin" />
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Latest revision as of 15:29, 3 June 2024

Interstate 540 marker

Interstate 540

Map
I-540 highlighted in red
Route information
Auxiliary route of I-40
Maintained by ArDOT
Length14.7 mi[1] (23.7 km)
Existed1965–present
NHSEntire route
Major junctions
South end US 271 / SH-9 at Oklahoma state line
Major intersections
North end I-40 / US 71 in Van Buren
Location
CountryUnited States
StateArkansas
CountiesSebastian, Crawford
Highway system
← I-530→ AR 549

Interstate 540 (I-540) is a freeway spur route of I-40 in the US state of Arkansas in Fort Smith. The total length is 14.7 miles (23.7 km).[1] At first, I-540 was a short spur connecting Fort Smith and Van Buren to I-40 as one of the original five Arkansas Interstates.[2] The route ran 14.7 miles (23.7 km) to U.S. Highway 271 (US 271) near the Oklahoma state line.[3] The growing Northwest Arkansas area and the University of Arkansas needed an Interstate connection to Little Rock, and through traffic north to Kansas City had also outgrown the winding US 71 north from I-40. The route was extended north to Mountainburg in the late 1990s on an all-new alignment (going under concurrency with I-40, one of the only auxiliary routes with a concurrency with its parent) with the route being completed to Bella Vista in January 1999.[4] However, the segment north of I-40 became a part of I-49 in 2014.

Route description

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The older portion of I-540, completed in the 1970s, connects I-40 southward to the Oklahoma state line, going through Van Buren and Fort Smith. This particular spur starts at exit 7 on I-40 (being seven miles (11 km) east of the state line with Oklahoma). That point marks mile 0 on this spur, in keeping with Interstate Highway rules that spur mileage begins at the "parent" route. The first three miles (4.8 km) are through Van Buren before the bridge over the Arkansas River. The remainder, for a grand total of approximately 15 miles (24 km), travels through Fort Smith. The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD), now the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT), bid a $79-million (equivalent to $102 million in 2023[5]) project in 2013 for I-540 rehabilitation in Fort Smith that includes resigning the route and renumbering the exits.[6]

Fort Smith route

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Beginning at the I-540 and I-40 junction in Van Buren, the route begins southward along the eastern boundary of Van Buren, with exits numbered sequentially heading south. The segment is largely concurrent with US 71. The first exit along this segment of I-540/US 71 is with US 64 and U.S. Highway 71 Business (US 71B), which leads west into the Van Buren Historic District and east to Alma. Continuing south, I-540/US 71 passes over Highway 162 (AR 162, Kibler Road), with no access between the routes. An exit providing access to AR 59, via Riggs Drive (southbound) or Twin Circle Drive (northbound), is just prior crossing the Arkansas River. After crossing the river, the highways enter Fort Smith and Sebastian County. I-540/US 71 run through a commercial area and has three exits with city collector roads before an exit for Phoenix Avenue, which gives access to Fort Smith Regional Airport. However, this exit does not have any access to southbound I-540/US 71.

Now turning toward the southwest, I-540/US 71 have exits with AR 45 (Greenwood Road) and AR 255 (Zero Street). Following these intersections, US 71 departs I-540 southbound toward Texarkana, with US 71B terminating at the parent route at the exit. I-540 begins to pass through a residential area before its final exit at US 271 and AR 253. Following this exit, the roadway continues but ceases to be I-540, becoming US 271 and entering Oklahoma.[citation needed]

History

[edit]

The Interstate spur opened in phases. According to a 1970 road map of Fort Smith,[citation needed] exits 2–11 (Van Buren through the Zero Street exit) were opened, with later exits (12–14) and the roadway itself still under construction. Portions of the roadway that became I-540 around Fayetteville were built in the early 1970s but upgraded and extended in the mid-1990s. The highway around Fayetteville originally received US 71 signage until the complete I-540 spur was opened.

Originally, I-540 running from I-40 to Oklahoma through Fort Smith was originally signed east–west, but, with the construction of the spur that ran north through Northwest Arkansas to Bella Vista, the entire I-540 was resigned as a north–south road. It is one of the few that have changed this way.[citation needed]

In the late 1990s, I-540 was extended into Northwest Arkansas. It had been planned since the 1970s as a bypass of US 71. The first section, between Alma and Mountainburg, was known as AR 540. Originally, the AHTD asked the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), who are in charge of Interstate and U.S. Highway route numbering, to allow the Interstate segment between Fort Smith and Bentonville to be named I-49 in order to emphasize plans to extend the route from Shreveport, Louisiana, through Arkansas to Kansas City, Missouri.[7] AASHTO refused and the route opened on January 8, 1999, as a northern extension of I-540.[8] On October 18, 2013, AASHTO approved AHTD's application to designate I-49 across the state, specifically allowing the state to renumber I-540 as I-49.[9] The northern section of I-540 was renumbered I-49 in April 2014.[10]

Exit list

[edit]
CountyLocationmi[1]kmExitDestinationsNotes
Sebastian​14.7223.69

 US 271 south / SH-9 west – Spiro, Oklahoma		Oklahoma state line; south end of US 271 overlap
Fort Smith14.0622.6314

 US 271 north / AR 253 south		North end of US 271 overlap
13.0621.0213Jenny Lind Road
12.1419.5412

 US 71 south / US 71B north – Texarkana		South end of US 71 overlap; US 71B not signed
11.0817.8311 AR 255 (Zero Street)
10.06–
10.34		16.19–
16.64		10 AR 45 (Greenwood Road) / Phoenix Avenue west
9.5415.359Leigh Avenue / Phoenix Avenue east – AirportNo southbound entrance
7.9912.868 AR 22 (Rogers Avenue)Signed as exits 8B (east) and 8A (west) southbound
6.2310.036Grand Avenue
4.947.955Kelley Highway
Arkansas River3.05–
3.52		4.91–
5.66		Bridge
CrawfordVan Buren2.874.623 AR 59 – Van Buren
0.550.892 US 64 (US 71B) – Van BurenSigned as exits 2B (east) and 2A (west)
0.000.001A
 I-40 west – Oklahoma City		Northbound exit and southbound entrance; exit 7 on I-40
1B
 I-40 east (US 71 north) – Little Rock, Fayetteville		Northern terminus; north end of US 71 overlap
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Arkansas Highway 540

[edit]

Highway 540 marker

Highway 540

LocationCrawford County
Length12 mi (19 km)
ExistedJune 7, 1995[11]–January 8, 1999

Highway 540 (AR 540, Ark. 540, and Hwy. 540) was a temporary designation for what would later become I-540 between Alma and Mountainburg in the US state of Arkansas. Traveling a distance of approximately 12 miles (19 km),[citation needed] its southern terminus was at I-40 west of Alma and its northern terminus at US 71 in Mountainburg.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Planning and Research Division (2010). "Arkansas Road Log Database". Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Archived from the original (Database) on June 23, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  2. ^ Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (1992). "The Beginning of the Mack-Blackwell Years". Historical Review: Arkansas State Highway Commission and Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, 1913–1992. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. p. 89.
  3. ^ Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (1988). Highway Map of Arkansas (TIFF) (Map). Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  4. ^ Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (2004). "The 90s". Historical Review Volume Two: Arkansas State Highway Commission and Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, 1913–2003. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department.
  5. ^ Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
  6. ^ Mitchell, Aric (January 7, 2013). "I-540 in Fort Smith, Van Buren Set for $78 Million Rehab". The City Wire. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  7. ^ Arkansas State Highway Commission (January 22, 1991). "Minutes of the Meeting" (PDF). Arkansas State Highway Commission. p. 868. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  8. ^ Arkansas State Highway Commission (August 6, 1997). "Minutes of the Meeting" (PDF). Arkansas State Highway Commission. p. 960. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  9. ^ Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering (October 28, 2013). "Special Committee on US Route Numbering Meeting Minutes for October 17, 2013 and Report to SCOH October 18, 2013" (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 3, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  10. ^ Rozelle, Jonathan. "I-540 Becomes Interstate 49". Fort Smith–Rogers, AR: KHBS/KHOG-TV. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  11. ^ a b Arkansas State Highway Commission (June 7, 1995). "Minutes of the Meeting" (PDF). Arkansas State Highway Commission. pp. 647–648. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
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