Senate committee approves bill to designate State Highway 549/Interstate 49 as scenic highway

A bill to designate State Highway 549 (also referred to in the hearing as Interstate 49 in northwest Arkansas) as a scenic highway cleared the Senate Transportation committee on a voice vote.

A presenter identifying himself as Senator Lansing described the route as the newly completed or soon-to-be-completed roadway from the intersection of Highways 71 and 71B in Bentonville to the Missouri state line and said the designation would recognize its scenic qualities. "Take State Highway 549, better known as also at this time as Interstate 49 in Northwest Arkansas ... up to the Missouri line," he said.

Members asked whether scenic designation would carry restrictions such as bans on billboards; the presenter confirmed scenic restrictions generally limit certain uses and said people in the area were supportive. Senator Matt Pitch referenced a prior experience in the Fort Smith area where scenic designation raised similar questions about signage; the presenter confirmed the new bypass was part of the corridor being considered.

The committee chair noted that no one had signed up to speak for or against the measures. Senator Bill Sample moved the motion and Senator Matt Pitch seconded; the committee voted by voice and advanced the bill. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally or identify individual votes beyond the voice vote.

The committee did not specify an effective date for the designation in the hearing. Further administrative steps would be required to implement and enforce scenic-highway restrictions associated with the designation.