The original Arkansas 471 was a short lived route, existing in the mid-80's. When the US 62-71 (now I-540) freeway was being extended from Fayetteville to Bentonville, the former route of US 71 from Fayetteville to Rogers was changed from US 71B to AR 471. Business owners along the route lamented the loss of their US route, and AHTD changed the designation back to US 71B.

 

Update: AR 471 is returning. From Minute Order 2004-035 of the March 3, 2004 Arkansas Highway Commission meeting:

WHEREAS, IN MILLER COUNTY, a freeway on new location is under construction between Doddridge and Texarkana; and WHEREAS, signing the new location route as U.S. Highway 71 will facilitate the travel of the motoring public. NOW THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that upon completion of the new location and official notification by the Chief ngineer, the following changes are made to the State Highway System as shown on the attached sketch .1. The existing portion of U.S. Highway 71, Section 1 shall be redesignated as State Highway 471, Section 1. 2. The existing portion of U.S. Highway 71, Section 2 shall be redesignated as State Highway 471, Section 2. 3. The new route, from the junction of State Highway 471 to the junction of State Highway 245 shall be added to the State Highway System as U.S. Highway 71, Section 1.

 

 

History

 

This AHTD map from 1985 shows the southern terminus of AR 471. US 62B was renamed AR 180 at around the same time.

This map is also from 1985. Here, the US 62/71 freeway, which is now I-540, was complete to AR 68, which is now the infamous US 412. US 62 and 71 were temporarily routed onto AR 68 east to the original alignment.

This map is from 1986. The freeway was now complete to Walnut Street in Rogers. However, for a short time in 1985-86, the freeway ended at AR 264, which served as a temporary route for US 62 and 71. I distinctly remember that AR 471 was co-signed with US 62 and 71 to near the current I-540/US 71B/AR 12 (Walnut Street) interchange, where the AR 471 designation vanished into thin air.

Here is a 1986 map of Rogers. It is unknown whether AR 471 was co-signed with US 62 between US 71 and 8th Street, but for a short time Walnut Street east of US 71 was definitely part of AR 471.

 

Special thanks to David Backlin for the map scans.