We were about 12 miles this side of El Dorado recently when a sign alongside the road reminded us of an old Statler Brothers hit. You’re probably familiar with it. Remember, “Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott?” Well, that’s what the sign reminded us of and we substituted a couple of the words, so playing in our minds was, “Whatever happened to I-69?”
Because the sign alongside U.S 82 informed passing motorists that it marks the site of the “Future Interstate 69 Corridor.” Really? There still is such a thing?
A few years ago, the possibility of an interstate highway coming through this neck of the woods was regularly in the news. Not that folks in Magnolia and Columbia County had any reason to get very worked up about it back then, considering the negligible positive impact it seemed it would have for us.
The best we remember, while the plans called for the interstate to have the aforementioned corridor through South Arkansas, there was a good chance there would not be a Magnolia exit. We’ve slept a good many nights since last hearing any word about I-69 so if we misremembered that particular aspect, we would be glad to stand corrected.
Nevertheless and regardless of the lack of proximity to our corner of South Arkansas, it is still interesting to ponder exactly what has happened to plans for the highway. It would seem that El Dorado and Camden certainly would benefit from an interstate running by their communities, which signs announcing the future corridor indicate.
Is there still an I-69 Coalition? If so, who is on the coalition originally formed to push the funding and construction of the highway, and what are they doing these days?
President Donald Trump has said that he will promote infrasture construction and hiring. It will be interesting if anyone brings to his attention the transportation project in this part of the country that seems to be permanently parked.