I-40/White Oak Crossing Interchange

Maumelle, Arkansas

For years, the City of Maumelle, Arkansas, had only two points of access from one major highway. This insufficient roadway capacity affected the traffic operations and free-flow conditions, resulting in serious traffic queuing and stop-and-go conditions during peak periods, causing frustration to residents and motorists.

Michael Baker provided engineering and environmental services for the construction of a new I-40 interchange near Maumelle and a roadway connection to the existing Counts Massey Road. Both efforts are tied to the same goal of alleviating the growing traffic congestion on Maumelle Boulevard, the only road into or out of the commuter City of Maumelle.

Our team conducted field work for the archaeological and historic resources investigations and the Determination of Eligibility. The Area of Potential Effects, approximately 24 acres, was surveyed using a combination of systematic pedestrian survey and hand-excavated shovel testing. Michael Baker also coordinated and conducted the final public meeting and prepared the revised Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) document based on the revised project concept and new preferred alternative.

The design of this diamond interchange included a connecting roadway, an interstate overpass bridge, as well as modifications to an existing main lane bridge, on- and off-ramps, maintenance of traffic plans, right-of-way drawings, signage and signage structure design and hydraulic certification. The new overpass structure consisted of a two-span, continuous steel plate girder superstructure.

South of the new interchange, Michael Baker widened two existing main-lane bridges over Newton Creek, replaced the approach slabs, and performed polymer overlay to extend the life of the decks. Michael Baker also managed property and design surveys, as well as the geotechnical study.

The team performed the work in alignment with Federal Highway Administration and Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) guidelines, created right-of-way plans following the DOT’s Right-of-Way Engineering Standard Methods and used parcel information received from the ARDOT Survey Division. Additionally, Michael Baker helped the City of Maumelle roll out the plan to fund the majority of the interchange project.