The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is celebrating the completion of 2 major Interstate 57 widening projects in Jacksonville and Cabot, Arkansas, marking a milestone for highway improvements between North Little Rock and Cabot.
ARDOT has announced a public ribbon-cutting ceremony for Friday, November 20, 2026, at 11 AM at City Hope Church, located at 3501 John Harden Drive in Jacksonville.
The projects, representing $145 million in construction in Jacksonville and $117 million in Cabot, are finishing months ahead of their original schedules.
Together, the improvements complete the Interstate 57 widening to 6 lanes from North Little Rock to Cabot, providing 3 travel lanes in each direction. The projects are designed to improve traffic flow, increase highway capacity, enhance safety and strengthen transportation connections across Central and Northeast Arkansas.
$145 Million Jacksonville Project Finishes 10 Months Early
The Jacksonville improvement project was awarded to Weaver-Bailey Contractors, Inc. for $145 million.
The project widened approximately 2.5 miles of Interstate 57, formerly Highway 67, between Main Street and Vandenberg Boulevard. Crews expanded the highway from 2 lanes to 3 lanes in each direction, creating a 6-lane interstate through the Jacksonville construction area.
Major improvements included:
- Widening approximately 2.5 miles of highway to 6 lanes
- Constructing a divided concrete median barrier wall
- Converting frontage roads to 1-way traffic
- Reconstructing entrance and exit ramps
- Reconstructing the James Street overpass
- Constructing a new Gregory Street overpass
- Building new bridges at Vandenberg Boulevard
The Jacksonville project was originally scheduled for completion in August 2027. According to ARDOT, the work is finishing approximately 10 months ahead of schedule.
Last Project in Connecting Arkansas Program
The Jacksonville widening project also represents the final project among the 31 projects included in ARDOT’s Connecting Arkansas Program.
The program was established following voter approval of Issue 1 in 2012, which created Amendment 91 to the Arkansas Constitution. The amendment provided a temporary 0.5% sales tax to support highway construction and improvements across Arkansas.
The program helped fund major highway widening and transportation infrastructure projects throughout the state.
$117 Million Cabot Project Finishes 6 Months Early
In Lonoke County, the Cabot Interstate 57 widening project was also awarded to Weaver-Bailey Contractors, Inc.
The $117 million project widened approximately 3.5 miles of Interstate 57 between Highway 5 and Highway 89. The construction expanded the interstate from 4 lanes to 6 lanes, providing 3 lanes in each direction.
Improvements included:
- Widening approximately 3.5 miles of Interstate 57
- Expanding the interstate to 6 travel lanes
- Replacing 2 bridges over Two Prairie Creek with a single bridge structure
- Constructing a noise wall
- Improving the highway corridor through northern Cabot
The Cabot widening project was originally scheduled for completion in April 2027. ARDOT says construction is finishing approximately 6 months ahead of schedule.
Major Improvements for Central and Northeast Arkansas
With the completion of these 2 projects, drivers traveling between North Little Rock and Cabot will have a continuous 6-lane Interstate 57 corridor.
The improvements are expected to provide additional highway capacity along 1 of the region’s major commuter and commercial transportation routes.
Interstate 57 connects communities throughout Central and Northeast Arkansas and is an important route for motorists traveling through Jacksonville, Cabot, Beebe, Searcy, Bald Knob and toward Walnut Ridge.
ARDOT says the completed projects strengthen connections along the 123-mile Interstate 57 corridor extending from North Little Rock to Walnut Ridge. The widening is intended to improve safety, reduce traffic congestion and provide more efficient travel for commuters, businesses and commercial traffic.
Public Invited to November 20 Ribbon Cutting
ARDOT is inviting residents, community leaders, transportation officials, project partners and other stakeholders to attend the celebration marking the completion of these major highway improvements.
The ribbon cutting will recognize the transportation investments made in Pulaski and Lonoke counties and the completion of the 6-lane widening between North Little Rock and Cabot.
Ribbon-Cutting Event Details
- Event: Interstate 57 Widening Projects Ribbon Cutting
- Date: Friday, November 20, 2026
- Time: 11 AM
- Location: City Hope Church, 3501 John Harden Drive, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076
- Projects Being Celebrated: Jacksonville I-57 Widening ($145 Million) and Cabot I-57 Widening ($117 Million)
- Contractor: Weaver-Bailey Contractors, Inc.
- Hosted By: Arkansas Department of Transportation
- Admission: Open to the Public
For additional transportation information, visit ARDOT.gov.
Source: Arkansas Department of Transportation, November 13, 2026.
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