BELLA VISTA — The message delivered over and over again Thursday was that for those wondering if the Bella Vista bypass will ever be built, be patient - it is coming.

More than 100 people - including federal, state and locally elected officials, political appointees, businessmen and women, and educators - attended a luncheon at the Bella Vista Country Club to hear the latest on the highway.

The event was sponsored by the Northwest Arkansas Council.

Those in attendance - including Pea Ridge Mayor Jackie Crabtree - not only heard an update on the highway, which is a joint venture between Arkansas and Missouri, they also heard how officials plan to pay for the project.

The nearly 19-mile-long section of road - 14.1 miles in Benton County, the remainder in McDonald County, Mo. - is what is called a valuable link along Interstate 49, which willeventually run from Canada to Mexico.

Plans show the road tying into U.S. Highway 71 south of Pineville, Mo., bypassing Bella Vista on the west and rejoining U.S. 71 in northern Bentonville.

Arkansas' share of the project is estimated at $267.6 million and Missouri's at $66.3 million.

According to one official, Arkansas has approximately $50 million on hand, whereas Missouri has nearly all of its share.

Beyond that money, funding is expected to come from federal grants, revenue bonds, federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act funds, tolls and state funding. Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department commissioners voted Aug. 19 to approve the toll-road idea.

As for making the bypass a toll road, AHTD Commissioner Carl Rosenbaum said, "If we can't toll it, : we can't build it."

While the road has been talked about for decades, it looks as though it will soon become a reality.

"The good news is we're ready," said Kevin Keith, Missouri's chief engineer on the project. "All the right of way will be (secured) in the next few months, and money is in place. We could be under construction next spring."

According to Dan Flowers, director of the AHTD, state officials will apply for part of more than $1.5 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money. The application deadline is Sept. 15, and Flowers said he was told grant winners will be announced in January.

He cautioned the audience that there could be thousands of other applications.

Under the rules of the grant dispersal, there is no minimum request, but none may exceed $300 million. No more than 20 percent of the available funds will be issued to any one state, and money will only be given to projects receiving nonfederal funds.

Many others spoke of the strong bond between the two states as it pertains to this project.

U.S. Rep. John Boozman (RARk.) said the two transportation departments are among the most respected in the country.

U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor (DArk.) said he is honored to be associated with "a team of people committed to the (bypass).

"The way you all do it in northwest Arkansas is you work together and get it done. I am glad to see the partnership, pulling everybody together. I'll do whatever I can to see this through, to steer this application to the finish line," Pryor said.

U.S. Rep. Marion Berry (DArk.) said "We are trying to do whatever we can to make this happen."

That sentiment was shared by other politicians as well, firming their commitment to the project.

Mike Malone, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas Council, said his group launched a Web site - www.i49bellavista.com - that will provide more information on the project.

Community, Pages 6 on 08/26/2009