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Building bigger together: I-49 Extension groundbreaking
Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) has broken ground on the next phase of the I-49 corridor extension in western Arkansas. Designed to connect I-49 and Gun Club Road at Highway 22, from Barling to Van Buren, this project will enhance connectivity and economic opportunity throughout the region.
To celebrate the project, ESS joined Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) leaders and government officials at the groundbreaking ceremony on August 22. The project’s importance could be seen in the number of people in attendance. Arkansas officials have rallied around the project and are excited to see it through to completion.
A milestone project
The scale, scope, and technical complexity of the I-49 extension have required multiple teams from across ESS to collaborate more than they already do. This job is bringing together ESS’ best and brightest to tackle every challenge with precision and teamwork.
“This is a true team lift and we’re proud of how our employee-owners have responded,” said Paul Arnold, ESS executive vice president.
The project, located near the Arkansas River bottom by the Lock and Dam, has presented unique environmental and logistical challenges. The area’s flood-prone conditions and saturated soils demand constant communication and strategic drainage solutions. ESS crews are taking a proactive approach to water management, ensuring progress remains steady even during wet conditions.
The numbers behind the work are staggering, including the largest bridge structure in ESS history. The Gun Club Road Bridge substructure alone will require 3,000 cubic yards of concrete, nearly 683,000 pounds of reinforcing steel, and 3,280 linear feet of piling. With 52 columns and 14 intermediate bents, including a massive 99-foot 6-inch-wide cap, this bridge isn’t just big. It’s a milestone.
Beyond the bridge, ESS will handle:
- 129,922 cubic yards of unclassified excavation
- 496,649 cubic yards of compacted embankment
- 198,833 cubic yards of rock fill
- Over 36,000 linear feet of underground storm utilities
“This project symbolizes who we are at ESS,” said Brandon Finn, ESS executive vice president. “Our work here will impact the current and future community, and it’s only possible because of our team’s collaboration.”
The groundbreaking ceremony marked more than the start of construction — it was a celebration of collaboration, commitment, and the shared drive to transform the community.
