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Interstate 49 is upgrading the existing US Highway 71 to interstate standards. The highway commission is planning to have the highway from the Grandview Triangle to Interstate 44 near Joplin, MO. Due to Arkansas being able to only create a two lane bypass (not interstate compatible) over six years, Missouri's highway department transferred $60 million from the Bella Vista Bypass project.

Route Description
Interstate 49 starts about 5 miles north of the Arkansas state line. Here, U.S. Highway 71 has an incomplete interchange. Only vehicles going north can exit onto I-49, and people going southbound have to exit to southbound US 71. In one mile, I-49 has a Parclo with Missouri Supplemental Route H. In another mile, there is an exit at Anderson, MO with Route EE. Then, North of Anderson US 71 Business 71 returns to the main highway. In five miles, there is an half diamond with Missouri Route 59, where people can only exit off and on from the north. In another mile, there is an exit with Missouri Route B. Four miles later is southern exit of Neosho, MO's Business Loop.

Bella Vista Bypass
Near Pineville County, MO I-49 will diverge from the existing Four lane US 71. The Path will continue south to the state line of Arkansas. The five miles of new construction was originally the focus of I-49 construction in Missouri. But when the Arkansas Highway Department announced it would only be able to precede to a two lane bypass over the next six years. MODot decided to use the money available to upgrade the existing US 71 North of Joplin.

MODot has said the Bypass is shovel ready. All the Right of way is bought, and the engineering is completed, meaning the construction of the road can be started as soon as Arkansas is ready to meet at the state line.