The expansion of roads, and now businesses, on Don Tyson has affected the lives of students. Since the exit has been created connecting Don Tyson to highway 49, 15,000 cars have used that road. This connection to the interstate has brought a controversial attitude to the nearby households. “It sucks in the morning if you are trying to get out of the neighborhood because of the traffic,” said sophomore Trey Smith. Smith lives in the Southwinds Terrace Subdivision which is east of the interstate.
Don Tyson Interchange is the name of the project that is being completed. With the city of Springdale having 25 million dollars invested into this program, a lot will be worked on. Exit 70 has been completed with an on and off ramp as well as the new overpass. The overpass connects 48th street to 56th. This has been named the cities #1 project since January of 2009. It will include a promised Casey’s General Store as well as a Walmart Neighborhood Market. “I think it’s good because it will be really convenient for me. Caseys will be a good stop before school,” said junior Olivia Allen. Allen also lives in close proximity to the Exit in the Heritage Hills neighborhood.
The Don Tyson Interchange has been seen as the most helpful to the Tyson food headquarters and also a great access to the Arvest Ballpark for Naturals fans. For students who live near Exit 70, this project will eventually be very beneficial. Many may not know, but 56th street will expand past 412 and connect with Har-Ber Ave. with a roundabout. This will make travel to neighborhoods off of Don Tyson much more accessible because of the route from Har-Ber to 56th and then straight to Don Tyson. “Yeah i like it but there will be lots of traffic by the house now,” said Smith.
The project is widening 56th street, which connects Don Tyson Parkway to 412 Sunset, to a four laned road with a center median of trees. It will have roundabouts at intersecting roads like Don Tyson, Watkins and Har-Ber Avenue. Caseys General Store has already broken ground at the Don Tyson and 48th intersection and the Walmart Neighborhood Market will be starting shortly. Sams club has announced their plan of a new store on the corner of 56th and 412. “This is great because its easy access for me,” said Junior Reilly Wisdom. Wisdom lives in the Southwinds Terrace Subdivision.