Inhofe, Boozman, Cotton Introduce Bill to Designate U.S. Route 412 as Future Interstate

Press Release

U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), today introduced S.1766, legislation to designate U.S. Route 412, from I-35 in Noble County, Oklahoma, to I-49 in Springdale, Arkansas, as a future interstate.

"Our interstate system is the lifeblood of Oklahoma's economy and provides the network for companies to bring materials into our critical industries, for businesses to locate in areas convenient for consumers, and for commuters to get to work and school safely and reliably," Inhofe said. "Designating Route 412 as an interstate would benefit Oklahoma by attracting new businesses, improving safety, enhancing freight mobility and better connecting rural and urban communities. I am proud to introduce this bill today alongside Sens. Boozman and Cotton and look forward to its swift consideration."

"Connecting Northwest Arkansas and North Central Oklahoma will encourage economic development along this corridor and expand opportunities for employment in the region," Boozman said. "I'm proud to join Senator Inhofe and Senator Cotton in designating U.S. Route 412 as a future interstate."

"Interstates make travel safer and shipping easier. Connecting I-49 to I-35 will support NWA's growth and bring opportunity to all communities in the corridor," Cotton said. "I look forward to working with Senators Boozman and Inhofe to designate Route 412 as a future interstate."

Multiple Stakeholders have voiced their support for the bill:

"This designation would have a significant economic impact for Tulsa and all of Northeast Oklahoma," said Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum. "I am very grateful for Senator Inhofe's leadership and his work to once again use infrastructure to grow Oklahoma's economy."

"The designation of the US-412 corridor as a future Interstate will both enhance economic development for our region and improve travel safety between northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas," said Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG) Director Rich Brierre. "Public and private officials in our region again applaud Senator Inhofe's continuing leadership on important transportation and infrastructure issues that will have lasting impact."

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation Secretary Tim Gatz and Arkansas Department of Transportation expressed their support in a letter here.

Full text of the bill can be found here.

Background:

While most major metropolitan areas across the nation have two or more interstate Highways connecting their region, the Tulsa area and the Northwest Arkansas metropolitan area are both served by just one interstate highway, I-44 and I-49, respectively.

With the Tulsa area growing to more than one million in population after the 2020 census, and the Northwest Arkansas area rapidly growing to over 500,000 in population, it is clear that a future interstate designation for U.S. Route 412 is needed to keep pace with the region's economic growth.

The Bill:

Designates U.S. Route 412 as a future interstate.

Allows all vehicles previously allowed to operate on U.S. Route 412 to continue to operate after the future interstate designation.

Benefits:

The future interstate route would directly connect three key Interstate freight corridors in the heartland of America -- I-35, I-44, and I-49.

The future interstate route serves two major inland ports -- the Tulsa Ports of Catoosa and Inola, and Oakley's Port 33 on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System -- and improves access to the Tulsa International Airport and the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.

The future interstate route would improve supply chain connectivity for major retail and industrial employers in the region, including the numerous energy and aerospace companies in Northeast Oklahoma and Walmart in Northwest Arkansas.

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