Interstate 49
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2022 11:32 am
Is completion of Interstate 49 important to KC? It is one of the largest uncompleted interstates in the country. I am not talking about the small 4 lane stoplight stretch just south of the Missouri border, but the long windy stretch through the Ouachita Mountains between Ft. Smith and Texarkana.
Arthur Stillwell thought a direct Gulf connection from KC was important enough he built the KC Southern which parallels I-49 route until Shreveport. Is having a direct truck/auto route at interstate standards important to KC. I do not know how much time would be cut off if the winding two lane US 71 was replaced by a freeway, I would guess at least an hour. It would be nice to cut hours off a drive to New Orleans or Houston. Completion of the route would not just be significant to the states it runs through but also states north of KC on I-29 and I-35. Trucking interests should be for this and companies like Wal-Mart.
Arthur Stillwell thought a direct Gulf connection from KC was important enough he built the KC Southern which parallels I-49 route until Shreveport. Is having a direct truck/auto route at interstate standards important to KC. I do not know how much time would be cut off if the winding two lane US 71 was replaced by a freeway, I would guess at least an hour. It would be nice to cut hours off a drive to New Orleans or Houston. Completion of the route would not just be significant to the states it runs through but also states north of KC on I-29 and I-35. Trucking interests should be for this and companies like Wal-Mart.