Interstate 42 (Hwy 612 Springdale Bypass)

Project Overview

The new Interstate 42 (formerly HWY 612 Springdale Bypass) project is a transformative design-build project led by Emery Sapp & Sons in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT). The four-lane highway directly connects Interstate 49 and Highway 412, creating a more efficient route that alleviates traffic congestion and is expected to save commuters up to an hour each week. Delivered nine months ahead of schedule, the project provides Northwest Arkansas with a critical transportation corridor sooner than anticipated.

As general contractor, ESS constructed more than seven miles of a four-lane highway and 15 bridges spanning nearly 1,000 feet, each made of locally sourced materials such as quarry rock, steel, ready-mix concrete, rebar, and reinforced concrete pipe (RCP). The scope of work included 3.2 million cubic yards of grading and excavation, 380,000 cubic yards of rock fill, 394,000 tons of Class 7 aggregate base, and 188,000 tons of asphalt paving.

Before construction began, ESS and their partners coordinated materials logistics, utility relocation, traffic management, and stakeholder communication. Through transparency and proactive communication with their partners, the project team provided innovative solutions to emerging issues. The team also relied on advanced technology on the jobsite, including GPS-guided grading equipment that improved earthwork accuracy, digital 3D corridor modeling to identify design conflicts, and an automated layout robot that marks critical field locations directly from the project’s digital roadway model.

Safety also played a crucial role in every phase of the project. Work zones, lane shifts, and traffic-control measures were carefully designed to protect both crews and the traveling public while maintaining mobility throughout construction.

With its thoughtfully designed roadway and bridges, Interstate 42 now provides a safer, more efficient transportation corridor for the region. ESS is proud to achieve this accomplishment with ArDOT, creating an important piece of infrastructure that will serve the Northwest Arkansas region for generations to come.