August 7, 2010: Every I-540 shield in northwestern Arkansas north of I-40 was removed last week and replaced with I-49.
Although there is no connection yet to I-49 in Missouri, and any construction south of I-40 will likely take decades to occur, Arkansas has gone ahead and renumbered I-540 from I-40 to Bentonville as Interstate 49.
- Story from the Arkansas News
- TV story from KFSM and a second story
- TV story about opening ceremony from KHBS (autoplay)
The I-49 designation actually goes up a few more exits than I-540 used to, but Arkansas, being Arkansas, removed the US 71 shields along that stretch. Arkansas has a pathological aversion to signing US routes along interstates, no matter the shared distance. (In fact, especially if it’s a long shared distance.)
On a sad note, like in Missouri, these I-49 shields do not have the state name on them. I really hope Iowa is not following suit with neutered shields.
How highway-clinchers handle this situation will depend on personal preference. For me, I now consider the road untraveled and will need to go on it again.