THE HISTORY OF INTERSTATE 30

1970 I-30 shoulder safety improvements 2003 The CARTS Areawide Freeway Study was commissioned from North Terminal to South Terminal. by Metroplan and AHTD to perform a regional assessment of the freeway system. The study concluded that I-30 warranted 10-lanes by 2025 and a new River Bridge crossing west of the 2 Broadway Bridge (Pike Avenue). 1962 I-30/I-40 opened. Pop. 950k Region I-30/I-40 Interchange1 Pop. 680k 1956 The Federal Aid Highway Act, popularly Metroplan forecasts the region to grow known as the National Interstate and Defense more than Pulaski County by 2040. Highways Act, was signed into action by 1913 Highway Department Pop. 450k President Dwight D. Eisenhower creating the formed to build roads to connect Pop. 490k Pop. 382k Pulaski County people and commerce.1 interstate highway system. Pop. 340k Pop. 63k Pop. 156k

19001920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2020 2040

1936 The Locust Street bridges was built 2010 I-30 improvements identified to cross the UPRR in North Little Rock. in Metro 2030.2. plan5.

1933 The Broadway Bridge was 1986 I-40 Widening Improvements from I-30 to 2040 Population is expected to built to cross the . 1960-63 I-30 and I-40 constructed Hwy. 67 including Dark Hollow (I-40/Hwy. 67) increase by 220,000 people in the as 6-lane interstate highways as part Interchange. The corrdor was widened from 6 metropolitan region by 2040. 75% lanes to 8 lanes to improve safety and mobility. of the growth is expected to be Street paving in early 1900s1 of the Federal Aid Highway Act to connect communities and address outside of Pulaski County. Traffic growth within Little Rock. on the Arkansas River Bridge is 1913 A 2-lane bridge at Main Street expected to be 165,000 vehicles a built over the Arkansas River. 1983 I-630/I-30 Interchange day by 2040. added for improved safety 1974 Metroplan designated as the area’s and operations. Metropolitan Planning Organization.

1979 The East Belt Freeway (I-440) was constructed to improve mobility in Little Rock and to relieve traffic on I-30.

1977 Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department I-30, Highway 65 and I-440 in Little Rock (AHTD) formally created.1 Early map showing the transportation network. I-30 construction in 19541 The Main Street Bridge highlighted.

1 Source: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department 2 Source: Historical Review – Volume II Arkansas State Highway Commission and Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department 3 Source: Metroplan’s website - http://www.metroplan.org/index.php?fuseaction=p0004.&mod=54 4 Source: Data compiled by Metroplan in 2016 5 Source: Plan Website - http://metroplan.org/files/53/METRO2030.2Combined01.pdf