Please take a moment to analyze the projected route of the possible I530 extension project.

Working closely with Arkansas Congressman Mike Ross, a coalition of southern Arkansas businessmen and government
leaders wants to build an interstate spur from Pine Bluff to Monroe.The spur would extend from Interstate 69, which is scheduled
to be built through southern Arkansas, to Interstate 20 in the Monroe/West Monroe area. The proposed spur would be called
Interstate 530.

According to Ross' communication's director, John Niven, the construction of I-530, as well as I-69, is a priority for the congressman,
who chairs the I-69 Congressional Caucus. "Congressman Ross is working to extend I-69 corridor south toward Monroe by bringing
Interstate 530 into the Monroe area," Niven said. "He's working with the I-69 Congressional Caucus, and within the state, we are working
on our end because we've still got a ways to go." Niven pointed out the project was a "long-term goal" and not something residents
should expect overnight.

"It is a goal and a priority but it is not something feasible in the short-term," Niven said.

I-530 is currently projected to run from Little Rock, Ark., south to Pine Bluff. Officials from Monticello, Ark., and Crossett, Ark., are
pressing to extend I-530 south to Crossett. Officials acted on that front after Georgia-Pacific's operation in Crossett noted the
difficulty of moving supplies into southeastern Arkansas.