Interstate 42 (Western)

Overview

Interstate 42 is eventually planned to link I-35 east of Enid, Oklahoma with I-49 north of Springdale, Arkansas. The route is signed along the Springdale Northern Bypass, which constitutes a ten-mile long loop north from U.S. 412 in west Tontitown to a partially built four-level interchange with I-49 along the Lowell and Springdale city line. I-42 replaced Arkansas Highway 612 when the western leg of the Springdale Bypass opened from AR 112 on September 4, 2026.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) submitted applications to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for the Fall 2023 Meeting of the Route Numbering Committee for the designation of Interstate 42. The route is established to follow U.S. 412 between I-35 in Noble County, OK and I-49 in Springdale, AR. The application referenced that the proposed route is 190 miles in Oklahoma, using the Cimarron Turnpike east toward Tulsa, and the Cherokee Turnpike east beyond Tulsa. The proposed 11 miles in Arkansas include Arkansas Route 612 along the Springdale Northern Bypass.

The premise behind numbering U.S. 412 as I-42 along this corridor relates to the similarity in numbers. However, with an already established Interstate 42 in North Carolina, AASHTO approved the application with condition. The numbering conveys that the two corridors may be joined at some point, which is not going to be the case. As such, both states withdrew their respective applications for further review.

Connecting Interstate 49 with Highway 112, the first phase of the Springdale Bypass opened in 2018. A seven mile long westward extension of the Springdale Bypass (Arkansas Highway 612) to U.S. 412 in west Tontitown opened to traffic on September 4, 2026 (McKinnon, 2026). The segment opened in conjunction with Highway 642, the Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) Connector Road. Phase two of the Springdale Bypass cost $180.8 million, while the XNA Connector Road was built at a cost of $127.7 million (ARDOT, 2026).

The third phase of the Springdale Bypass lengthens the limited access highway another 3.3 miles east from Interstate 49 to Highway 265. Estimated to cost between $200-250 million, bidding for construction for the project is anticipated for November 2026 (Rollins, 2026).

East End  ‐ Springdale, AR

East at

I-42 (Springdale Northern Bypass) concludes east at a directional T interchange with Interstate 49 along the Springdale and Lowell city line. 07/10/26

North at

Interstate 42 commences west from I-49 north between Lowell and Springdale. I-42 provides a bypass of U.S. 412 west through Elm Springs and Tonitown. 07/10/26

South at

Interstate 49 south at I-42 (Springdale Northern Bypass) west to Elm Springs and Tontitown. 10/07/21

Future West End  ‐ near Perry, OK

West at

Interstate 35 heads north from U.S. 412 to the Kansas Turnpike and Wichita. U.S. 64 west combines with U.S. 412 to Enid from I-35 at Perry. 07/12/26

East at

Interstate 42 will begin east along U.S. 412 and the Cimarron Turnpike from IH 35/U.S. 64. 07/12/26