LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Interstate 630 expansion project has barely broken ground but already it’s facing a legal challenge.
A federal lawsuit filed Wednesday argues the State Department of Transportation did not do a necessary environmental study before taking on such a project.
Attorneys are seeking a temporary restraining order to bring construction to a screeching halt…or, at least until those studies can be completed.
“It’s going to have significant environment impacts,” according to Richard Mays, one of the attorneys involved in the suit.
Mays argues that construction at this scale, expanding I-630 to four lanes each way for more than two miles between Baptist Health and University Ave, should have to consider impacts on traffic patterns and pollution.
“They’re trying to use an exemption that applies to small projects,” Mays said.
ARDOT argues I-630 is at capacity, estimating that in 20 years 40,000 more cars a day will drive it.
Mays’ clients, who all live very close to the interstate, don’t view spending almost $90 million dollars on expansion as the solution.
“My clients think there are better ways perhaps more wise ways to spend all this money,” he said.
Bottom line, Mays says ARDOT needs to complete all considerations before continuing construction. Now it’s just a matter if a judge will agree.
A court hearing on this case is set for Thursday.
Construction has not yet been affected.
ARDOT say it has no comment on the lawsuit because it does not comment on pending litigation.
