Arkansas Highway 247 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Highway 247
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Route information
Maintained by AHTD
Location
Counties:	Pope, Conway, Perry
Highway system
Arkansas Highway System Interstates • US • State Business • Spurs • Scenic ← AR 246 AR 248 →

Highway 247 (also called AR 247 or Hwy. 247) is a special name for four different roads in Arkansas. These roads generally run north and south through the Arkansas River Valley. Two of these roads are quiet, two-lane country roads. They connect small, spread-out communities. Another part of Highway 247 is a wider, four-lane road that helps traffic go around the town of Pottsville. The last part of Highway 247 is mostly known as Poor Farm Road in Morrilton. This section passes by several schools and colleges.

The first part of Highway 247 was created in 1957. The section in Morrilton was added in 1965. A second country road part was added in 1966. The last section became part of Highway 247 in 1973. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) takes care of all these different parts of Highway 247.

Highway 247: Russellville to Pottsville

This part of Highway 247 is a north-south road in southern Pope County. It connects the towns of Pottsville and Russellville. It also links to I-40. This road follows an old path used by the Butterfield Overland Mail. This was like an early mail delivery service that ran from Memphis, Tennessee to California in the 1850s. It was a bit like the famous Pony Express.

What the Road is Like

Highway 247 starts in southern Russellville near Highway 7. It runs east along the edge of Russellville. It goes through some empty industrial areas and then into Pottsville. Even in Pottsville, the road mostly goes through undeveloped land. It crosses two small streams, the Tanyard Branch and Galla Creek. Then it turns north.

Highway 247 goes over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Soon after, it meets US Highway 64 and Highway 363. This is just south of Interstate 40 (I-40).

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) looks after Highway 247. They count how many cars use the road each day. This is called "average annual daily traffic" (AADT). In 2017, about 6,900 cars used the Russellville part of the road each day. Near Pottsville, about 4,700 cars used it daily. This part of Highway 247 is important for the country's economy and travel. It is part of the National Highway System.

History of this Section

The Arkansas State Highway Commission created this part of Highway 247 on November 23, 1966. It followed an old county road between Highway 7 and US 64. In 2013, Highway 247 was changed. A new, wider road was built around Pottsville. People often call this the "Pottsville Bypass." In 2011, the Pottsville City Council decided to name this new highway the Butterfield Stagecoach Bypass.

Where it Connects

• It starts in Russellville at Highway 7.
• It ends in Pottsville at US 64, Highway 363, and near I-40.

Highway 247: Atkins to Hattieville

This part of Highway 247 is another north-south road in the Arkansas Valley Plains.

What the Road is Like

Highway 247 begins at Highway 105 north of Atkins. The road goes east through a quiet, rural area. It passes through a small place called Economy. Then it crosses Point Remove Creek and enters Conway County. Highway 247 then turns southeast. It meets a few county roads that lead to the Ed Gordon Point Remove Wildlife Management Area. The highway ends when it meets Highway 213.

This section of Highway 247 is not very busy. The busiest part had about 1,200 cars per day. The quietest part had only about 350 cars per day. This road is not part of the National Highway System.

History of this Section

The Highway Commission first created a part of Highway 247 on July 10, 1957. It ran from Highway 105 near Atkins north to Economy. This was a time when many new state highways were being built. Later, on June 23, 1965, the road was made longer, extending east to Hattieville.

Where it Connects

• It starts in Pope County at Highway 105 near Atkins.
• It crosses a bridge over Point Remove Creek.
• It ends in Conway County at Highway 213 near Hattieville.

Highway 247: Morrilton Section

This part of Highway 247 is a north-south road mostly in the city of Morrilton. Morrilton is a small city in the Arkansas River Valley, located along I-40.

What the Road is Like

Highway 247 starts in the northern part of Morrilton at Highway 9 Spur. It goes straight north and is called Poor Farm Road. Along this road, you'll see Morrilton High School and Morrilton Junior High School. Highway 247 then meets Highway 132 (University Boulevard). This is just west of the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton campus.

Continuing north, Highway 247 passes Morrilton Intermediate School. It then goes over I-40 on a bridge, but there's no way to get on or off I-40 here. After leaving Morrilton city limits, Highway 247 goes through a rural area. It passes the River Valley Technical Center. Finally, it ends at an intersection with Highway 95.

This section of Highway 247 is moderately busy. Near Morrilton High School, about 3,100 cars use it daily. North of I-40, about 2,400 cars use it daily. This road is not part of the National Highway System.

History of this Section

The Highway Commission created this part of Highway 247 on June 23, 1965.

Where it Connects

• It starts in Morrilton at Highway 9 Spur.
• It meets Highway 132 (University Boulevard).
• It ends north of Morrilton at Highway 95.

Highway 247: Petit Jean State Park Area

This is a short north-south road that connects two other highways. It is located near Casa and close to Petit Jean State Park.

What the Road is Like

Highway 247 starts at Highway 155 in Perry County. This is about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Casa. This area is different from the usual flat Arkansas River Valley because it has steep mountains. This quiet, two-lane road goes up Cove Mountain and enters Conway County. Highway 247 continues north to Pontoon. It ends there at an intersection with Highway 154. This is near the Petit Jean River and the border with Yell County.

This part of Highway 247 is very quiet. In 2018, only about 180 cars used it each day. Roads with fewer than 400 cars per day are considered "very low volume local roads." This road is not part of the National Highway System.

History of this Section

This fourth section of Highway 247 was created on March 28, 1973. It was originally an existing county road between Pontoon and the Conway-Perry county line. This was part of a time when the state highway system was growing. Two months later, the road was made longer, extending south to where it starts today.

Where it Connects

• It starts in Perry County at Highway 155.
• It ends in Conway County at Highway 154 in Pontoon.

See Also

• List of state highways in Arkansas