By Jeannie Nugent, Pine Bluff Commerical

October 30, 2007...Dozens of national, state and local dignitaries gathered with more than 60 well-wishers at the official groundbreaking Monday for the Interstate 530 interchange that will connect central Arkansas with the high-profile Interstate 69 roadway.

The I-69 corridor - which will stretch from Indiana northeast to the Canadian border in Michigan and extend southwest to the Mexican border in Texas - was designated earlier this year as one of only six “Corridors of the Future.”

And Thursday’s momentous occasion was only a beginning step for Pine Bluff and Southeast Arkansas, said Pine Bluff Mayor Carl Redus Jr.

“I-69 will give Pine Bluff unprecedented and direct access to the global market,” he said, urging community leaders to prepare to take higher advantage of the opportunity it represents. “We’ve almost become complacent. As the world changes, Pine Bluff needs to change with it.”

Jefferson County Judge Mike Holcomb echoed the mayor’s sentiments and pointed to the project as “...an example of the great strides that can be accomplished when people come together.

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” said Holcomb.

Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department Director Dan Flowers commended the local leaders as well as Arkansas’ Fourth District Congressman Mike Ross for their hard work over the “long haul.”

“We’ve gotten to the point that all we need now is money,” he said, adding that the congressional designation as a “Corridor of the Future” will make it a priority for future federal funding.

“Arkansas’ road needs have been one of my top priorities in Washington, and bringing an Interstate to Southeast Arkansas sits atop that list,” said Ross. “Projects like the I-530 Interchange remind us all of the strong need to begin to invest in America again. I strongly believe that good infrastructure is the key to attracting business and industry to our state, and with the combination of developing Arkansas’ first-class roadways, rail opportunities, ports and inland waterways, this Interchange will serve as a critical elements for transporting products in and out of this country.”

Highway Commissioner Madison Murphy pointed out that the original estimate for the connector was $312 million - today that estimate is at $614 million, including an estimated $9 million for right-of-way.

“Funding is clearly a major league challenge for all of us,” he said.

Ross vowed to continue his fight for funding on the project.

“I will continue working to ensure the completion of I-69 and the feasibility study of bringing I-530 to I-20, as well as my continued support for the Bradley and Drew County inter-modal facility and the Yellow Bend Port,” said Ross. “These projects will play a critical role towards bringing much-needed economic development in the Delta region.”

The contract for the construction of the new interchange on I-530 for the I-69 Connector was awarded to Jensen Construction of Des Moines, Iowa, for $25.1 million. Completion of this phase of work is expected to be in late 2010, a highway department spokesman said.