Interstate 530
Encyclopedia
Interstate 530 in Arkansas
is a spur route of the Interstate highway system, traveling 46.65 miles (75.1 km) from Little Rock
at the junction of Interstate 30
and Interstate 440
in the northwest, to Pine Bluff
in the southeast.
/US 65/US 67
/US 70/US 167 in southeast Little Rock
. This intersection handles over 100,000 vehicles per day on average. I-530 runs south with US 65 and US 167 through marshland, entering Saline County briefly to split with US 167 south. Returning to Pulaski County, I-530 has an exit at Hensley
(which also connects to Highway 365
) before entering Jefferson County
.
Interstate 530 continues south, passing through forested land and clear cut
areas, also running parallal to AR 365. I-530 intersects Highway 46 in Redfield
before entering White Hall
. After an intersection with Arkansas Highway 256, the route runs south to serve as the eastern terminus for US 270. This exit also contains Arkansas Highway 365 Spur eastbound to White Hall. Continuing south to Pine Bluff
, I-530 serves as a beltway around the city. I-530 skirts the city to the southweset, including exits for West 19th Street
, US 79B, and US 63B.
The Interstate ends at a very large junction with US 63/US 65/US 65B/US 79/US 425/AR 190, after which the roadway continues south as US 65/US 425 toward Dumas
.
for 15 miles (24.1 km) from AR 256 northwest of White Hall
to U.S. Route 65
in southern Pine Bluff
. The route passes over Bayou Bartholomew
and the Mississippi Alluvial Plain
. The southern portion was formerly a wetland preserve, but now the land is being developed.
. Today, I-530 and US 65 run concurrent
as a four-lane, limited-access spur route. The route formally gained the I-530 designation after a full interstate-grade bypass of Pine Bluff (known locally as the Wiley Branton Highway) replaced a segment of US 65 through Pine Bluff that contained at-grade intersections. This bypasses route is known locally as the Martha Mitchell Expressway, now U.S. 65B); U.S. 65 was moved to the bypass shortly before it became I-530.
. The first segment of the extension from US 278 north to Arkansas 35
, opened as a two-lane freeway
designated Arkansas Highway 530 on June 6, 2006. http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=29435 This extension is intended to connect to the proposed southern extension of Interstate 69
; U.S. 278 at Wilmar also provides four-lane access to the future I-530 from the larger cities of Warren
and Monticello
, thus allowing both to champion its completion. Though sufficient right-of-way was provided for interchanges at both ends as well as two additional lanes, this segment presently has stop signs at both ends; however, it is a true controlled-access, two-lane freeway in between.
The remaining segments between AR 35 and Pine Bluff will also be built as a partial two-lane freeway, similar to the existing AR 35-U.S. 278 segment. Initially, the only full interchange will be with the present I-530 at Pine Bluff; grade crossings will be built at other planned interchanges (thus interrupting the freeway), but the stretches between grade crossings will be true two-lane freeways with grade separations and service roads where needed. The route includes sufficient right-of-way to build interchanges and two additional lanes later; the Pine Bluff interchange will be a full freeway-to-freeway facility designed for the future four-lane freeway. As of mid-2011, grading and structures have been completed from Pine Bluff to Pinebergen, but no paving has been done; another segment south of Pinebergen is under contract for grading and structures only. Eventually, the route will connect Pine Bluff and Little Rock to Interstate 69 in Arkansas
.
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
is a spur route of the Interstate highway system, traveling 46.65 miles (75.1 km) from Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
at the junction of Interstate 30
Interstate 30
Interstate 30 is an Interstate Highway in the southern United States. I-30 runs from Interstate 20 west of Fort Worth, Texas, northeast via Dallas, Texas, and Texarkana, Texas, to Interstate 40 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The route parallels U.S. Route 67 except for the portion west of...
and Interstate 440
Interstate 440 (Arkansas)
Interstate 440 in Arkansas is a partial loop of connecting Interstate 40 with Interstate 30 and Interstate 530 near Little Rock...
in the northwest, to Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area...
in the southeast.
Route description
The route begins at a high volume intersection with I-30/I-440Interstate 440
Interstate 440 may refer to:*Interstate 440 , a partial loop near Little Rock*Interstate 440 , a loop route in Raleigh*Interstate 440 , now part of I-44 in Oklahoma City*Interstate 440 , a loop in Nashville...
/US 65/US 67
U.S. Route 67 in Arkansas
U.S. Route 67 in Arkansas runs from Texarkana to the Missouri state line in Northeastern Arkansas.-Route description:U.S. Route 67 runs parallel to Interstate 30 from Texarkana to Benton, where it then runs concurrent with I-30 to North Little Rock. It then runs east, concurrent with I-40, for...
/US 70/US 167 in southeast Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
. This intersection handles over 100,000 vehicles per day on average. I-530 runs south with US 65 and US 167 through marshland, entering Saline County briefly to split with US 167 south. Returning to Pulaski County, I-530 has an exit at Hensley
Hensley, Arkansas
Hensley is a census-designated place in Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 139 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
(which also connects to Highway 365
Arkansas Highway 365
Arkansas Highway 365 is a north–south state highway in Central Arkansas. The route of runs from US 65B/US 79B in Pine Bluff north through Little Rock to US 65B/AR 60 in Conway. The route is a redesignation of former U.S. Route 65, which has since been rerouted onto various Interstate highways...
) before entering Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Arkansas
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. Its population was 77,435 at the 2010 United States Census. It is included in the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area. Jefferson County's county seat and largest city is Pine Bluff...
.
Interstate 530 continues south, passing through forested land and clear cut
Clearcutting
Clearcutting, or clearfelling, is a controversial forestry/logging practice in which most or all trees in an area are uniformly cut down. Clearcutting, along with shelterwood and seed tree harvests, is used by foresters to create certain types of forest ecosystems and to promote select species that...
areas, also running parallal to AR 365. I-530 intersects Highway 46 in Redfield
Redfield, Arkansas
Redfield is a city in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It was incorporated by the County Court on October 18, 1898. The city population was 1,157 at the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area....
before entering White Hall
White Hall, Arkansas
White Hall is a city in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States, with a population of 4,732 in the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area and like Pine Bluff, adjoins the Pine Bluff Arsenal...
. After an intersection with Arkansas Highway 256, the route runs south to serve as the eastern terminus for US 270. This exit also contains Arkansas Highway 365 Spur eastbound to White Hall. Continuing south to Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area...
, I-530 serves as a beltway around the city. I-530 skirts the city to the southweset, including exits for West 19th Street
Arkansas Highway 190
Arkansas Highway 190 is a designation for four state highways in south central Arkansas. The northernmost segment of runs from AR 291 in Tull to AR 35. A segment in western Grant County of runs east from U.S. Route 270 in Prattsville to Arkansas Highway 46...
, US 79B, and US 63B.
The Interstate ends at a very large junction with US 63/US 65/US 65B/US 79/US 425/AR 190, after which the roadway continues south as US 65/US 425 toward Dumas
Dumas, Arkansas
Dumas is a city in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,706 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Dumas is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
.
US 167 intersection
The US Route 167 junction (Exit 10) can only be accessed by southbound I-530 but not northbound I-530. There existed a median crossover to access US 167 South from I-530 North, but this was removed due to numerous severe and fatal accidents at the crossover. Northbound I-530 traffic must now use the Bingham Road (Exit 9) exit and cross the overpass to I-530 South.I-530 State Scenic Byway
Interstate 530 is designated as one of ten Arkansas Scenic BywaysArkansas Scenic Byways
The Arkansas Scenic Byways Program is a list of highways, mainly state highways, that have been designated by the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department as scenic highways. The Arkansas General Assembly designates routes for scenic byway status upon successful nomination...
for 15 miles (24.1 km) from AR 256 northwest of White Hall
White Hall, Arkansas
White Hall is a city in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States, with a population of 4,732 in the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area and like Pine Bluff, adjoins the Pine Bluff Arsenal...
to U.S. Route 65
U.S. Route 65
U.S. Route 65 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 425 in Clayton, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at Interstate 35 just south of Interstate 90 in Albert Lea, Minnesota...
in southern Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area...
. The route passes over Bayou Bartholomew
Bayou Bartholomew
Bayou Bartholomew is the longest bayou in the world meandering approximately between two states. It contains over 100 aquatic species making it the second most diverse stream in North America. Known for its excellent bream, catfish, and crappie fishing, portions of the bayou are considered some of...
and the Mississippi Alluvial Plain
Mississippi Alluvial Plain
The Mississippi River Alluvial Plain is an alluvial plain created by the Mississippi River on which lies parts of seven states, from southern Louisiana to southern Illinois....
. The southern portion was formerly a wetland preserve, but now the land is being developed.
Points of interest
- Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame
- Arkansas Railroad MuseumArkansas Railroad MuseumArkansas Railroad Museum is located on Port Road in Pine Bluff, Arkansas at the former Cotton Belt yard.The former SSW shops are occupied by the historic collection of railroad equipment. This museum is about an hour's drive from Little Rock, AR, and is one of the largest displays of historic...
- Pine Bluff Commercial Historic District
History
The current route was formerly designated as U.S. Highway 65U.S. Route 65
U.S. Route 65 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 425 in Clayton, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at Interstate 35 just south of Interstate 90 in Albert Lea, Minnesota...
. Today, I-530 and US 65 run concurrent
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
as a four-lane, limited-access spur route. The route formally gained the I-530 designation after a full interstate-grade bypass of Pine Bluff (known locally as the Wiley Branton Highway) replaced a segment of US 65 through Pine Bluff that contained at-grade intersections. This bypasses route is known locally as the Martha Mitchell Expressway, now U.S. 65B); U.S. 65 was moved to the bypass shortly before it became I-530.
Exit list
Future
A planned extension of the route pushes the Interstate south to U.S. Route 278 in WilmarWilmar, Arkansas
Wilmar is a city in Drew County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 571 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wilmar is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
. The first segment of the extension from US 278 north to Arkansas 35
Arkansas Highway 35
Arkansas Highway 35 is a northwest–southeast state highway in southeast Arkansas. The route runs from Dewey near the Mississippi River northwest to Arkansas Highway 5 in Benton.-Route description:...
, opened as a two-lane freeway
Two-lane freeway
A two-lane expressway is an expressway with only one lane in each direction, and usually no median barrier. It may be built that way because of constraints, or may be intended for expansion once traffic volumes rise. The term super two is often used by roadgeeks for this type of road, but traffic...
designated Arkansas Highway 530 on June 6, 2006. http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=29435 This extension is intended to connect to the proposed southern extension of Interstate 69
Interstate 69
Interstate 69 is an Interstate Highway in the United States. It exists in two parts: a completed highway from Indianapolis, Indiana, northeast to the Canadian border in Port Huron, Michigan, and a mostly proposed extension southwest to the Mexican border in Texas...
; U.S. 278 at Wilmar also provides four-lane access to the future I-530 from the larger cities of Warren
Warren, Arkansas
Warren is a city in and the county seat of Bradley County, Arkansas, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimated population in 2006 was 6,219....
and Monticello
Monticello, Arkansas
Monticello is a city in Drew County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 9,327. The city is the county seat of Drew County. It is the home of the University of Arkansas at Monticello.-History:...
, thus allowing both to champion its completion. Though sufficient right-of-way was provided for interchanges at both ends as well as two additional lanes, this segment presently has stop signs at both ends; however, it is a true controlled-access, two-lane freeway in between.
The remaining segments between AR 35 and Pine Bluff will also be built as a partial two-lane freeway, similar to the existing AR 35-U.S. 278 segment. Initially, the only full interchange will be with the present I-530 at Pine Bluff; grade crossings will be built at other planned interchanges (thus interrupting the freeway), but the stretches between grade crossings will be true two-lane freeways with grade separations and service roads where needed. The route includes sufficient right-of-way to build interchanges and two additional lanes later; the Pine Bluff interchange will be a full freeway-to-freeway facility designed for the future four-lane freeway. As of mid-2011, grading and structures have been completed from Pine Bluff to Pinebergen, but no paving has been done; another segment south of Pinebergen is under contract for grading and structures only. Eventually, the route will connect Pine Bluff and Little Rock to Interstate 69 in Arkansas
Interstate 69 in Arkansas
The proposed Interstate 69 will pass through the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Arkansas.-SIU 12 :I-69 will enter Arkansas on the Charles W. Dean Bridge south of Arkansas City, then continue west to U.S. 65 near McGehee; U.S. 278 will also be rerouted there from its present crossing with...
.