Locals look north to I-530 initiative by Michael DeVault - posted Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 @ 8:52 pm  E-mail Story |  Print Story  An ad hoc delegation of representatives from government and business traveled to Monticello, Ark., last week to discuss the proposed construction of an interstate highway from Little Rock to Monroe. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo said the group included representatives from the city of Monroe, West Monroe and economic development entities. "We actually went independently, but it ended up being a good delegation of attendees," Mayo said. Mayo was impressed by the number of road projects currently underway in Arkansas and said many of those projects could affect northeast Louisiana, including the proposed Interstate 530 connector from Monticello to the Monroe/West Monroe area. Mayo said the proposed interstate had "national significance" and represented just one of the many major Arkansas road projects that could impact Louisiana. The I-530 initiative is being spearheaded by a group of business and government leaders in southern Arkansas. Under the current proposal, an interstate highway would extend from somewhere east of Monroe, north to Monticello, where it would intersect with Interstate 69, which is currently under construction. Former Ouachita Parish Police Jury president Ben Marshall said last week's meeting gave representatives from northeastern Louisiana an opportunity to learn about the various infrastructure projects currently under construction in southern Arkansas. "The most impressive thing that the Monroe delegation found was how much money Arkansas has at its disposal to spend on roads right now," Marshall said. "They are building two bridges 30 miles apart across the Mississippi River." Marshall said construction costs on the pair of bridges is expected to top $2 billion. "What I see happening right now is an education process and a sudden realization of how far behind we really are and almost an unwillingness to admit to that," Marshall said. Marshall added that he thinks the state can catch up if it works with Arkansas and feeds off that state's success. "If we can feed off the motivation these Arkansas people have and get our own people fired up and moving ahead, then we will as well," Marshall said. Arkansas Good Roads, Inc. executive director Johnny Bowlen called the meeting a success and said the summit provided an opportunity to share information. "It was a great first step to have a knowledgeable person to share with us what is happening on the I-530 and Highway 425 projects," Bowlen said. Bowlen also noted representatives were present from Mississippi to discuss regional highway projects there. "All in all, the three states coming together signifies to me that regionalization is upon us whether we're ready for it or not," Bowlen said.