THE HISTORY OF INTERSTATE 30
1970 I-30 shoulder safety improvements
from North Terminal to South Terminal.
2003 The CARTS Areawide Freeway Study was commissioned
by Metroplan and AHTD to perform a regional assessment of
the freeway system. The study concluded that I-30 warranted
10-lanes by 2025 and a new River Bridge crossing west of the
Broadway Bridge (Pike Avenue).
1962 I-30/I-40 Interchange opened.2
Pop. 950k
Region
I-30/I-40 Interchange1
1956 The Federal Aid Highway Act, popularly
known as the National Interstate and Defense
Highways Act, was signed into action by
President Dwight D. Eisenhower creating the
interstate highway system.
1913 Arkansas Highway Department
formed to build roads to connect
people and commerce.1
Pop. 490k
Metroplan forecasts the region to grow
more than Pulaski County by 2040.
Pop. 450k
Pulaski County
Pop. 382k
Pop. 340k
Pop. 156k
Pop. 63k
1900
Pop. 680k
1920
1940
1960
1980
2000
1936 The Locust Street bridges was built
to cross the UPRR in North Little Rock.
1933 The Broadway Bridge was
built to cross the Arkansas River.
Street paving in early 1900s1
1913 A 2-lane bridge at Main Street
built over the Arkansas River.
1960-63 I-30 and I-40 constructed
as 6-lane interstate highways as part
of the Federal Aid Highway Act to
connect communities and address
growth within Little Rock.
1974 Metroplan designated as the area’s
Metropolitan Planning Organization.
2040
2020
2010 I-30 improvements identified
in Metro 2030.2. plan5.
1986 I-40 Widening Improvements from I-30 to
Hwy. 67 including Dark Hollow (I-40/Hwy. 67)
Interchange. The corrdor was widened from 6
lanes to 8 lanes to improve safety and mobility.
1983 I-630/I-30 Interchange
added for improved safety
and operations.
2040 Population is expected to
increase by 220,000 people in the
metropolitan region by 2040. 75%
of the growth is expected to be
outside of Pulaski County. Traffic
on the Arkansas River Bridge is
expected to be 165,000 vehicles a
day by 2040.
1979 The East Belt Freeway (I-440) was
constructed to improve mobility in
Little Rock and to relieve traffic on I-30.
Early map showing the transportation network.
The Main Street Bridge highlighted.
1977 Arkansas State Highway
and Transportation Department
(AHTD) formally created.1
I-30 construction in 19541
1
Source: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
2
Source: Historical Review – Volume II Arkansas State Highway Commission and Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
3
Source: Metroplan’s website - http://www.metroplan.org/index.php?fuseaction=p0004.&mod=54
4
Source: Data compiled by Metroplan in 2016
5
Source: Plan Website - http://metroplan.org/files/53/METRO2030.2Combined01.pdf
I-30, Highway 65 and I-440 in Little Rock