Notice to Media

FORT SMITH (06-07)

The Contractor has informed the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department’s District Four Headquarters at Fort Smith of the following lane closures associated with work on Interstate 540 in the Fort Smith area for June 8 through June 14.

OKLAHOMA STATE LINE TO HWY 71

·         Westbound I-540 main lane traffic will continue to be restricted to one lane from near the Hwy 71 Interchange [Exit 12] to near the Oklahoma State Line.  This lane closure is necessary to allow for shoulder reconstruction along the edge of the pavement.

HWY 71 TO HWY 22 (ROGERS AVENUE)

·         Westbound I-540 main lane traffic from near the Hwy 22 (Rogers Avenue) [Exit 8] Interchange to near the Hwy 71 [Exit 12] Interchange will also be restricted to one lane beginning at 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening, June 8, and will be restored to two lanes in that area before 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, June 9. 

·         The same Westbound I-540 main lane traffic from near the Hwy 22 (Rogers Avenue) [Exit 8] Interchange to near the Hwy 71 [Exit 12] Interchange will again be restricted to one lane from Monday evening, June 10, through Saturday morning, June 18.  Those restrictions will begin at 6:00 p.m. each evening and the westbound traffic will be restored to two lanes before 6:00 a.m. on the following morning. 

Adjustment of the times and dates of the lane closures may be required due to weather or other unforeseen conditions.

These closures are a part of an on-going project to rehabilitate and improve the section of I-540 between the Oklahoma State Line and Hwy 22 (Rogers Avenue) in Fort Smith.

Motorists are urged to use caution and think ahead when traveling through the work zone.  Motorists should remember to Merge Early as they approach the work zone; to Obey the Posted Speeds; to Maintain a Steady Speed; to Leave Room between them and other vehicles; and to Be Aware of Road Conditions in front of them.

Motorists are also reminded that the speed limit in this work zone has been reduced from 65 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour, for the safety of both the construction workers and the motorists.  Increased traffic enforcement is being utilized in this work area and, under Arkansas law, fines are doubled for violations that occur in the work zone.

Information on these lane, road, and ramp closures and lane and ramp closures on other interstate projects, can be found by visiting the internet site www.ArkansasInterstates.com.