Notice to Media

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 24 through June 30.

OKLAHOMA STATE LINE TO HIGHWAY 71

·         Westbound traffic will continue to be restricted to one lane from near the Highway 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.

HIGHWAY 71 TO HIGHWAY 22 (ROGERS AVENUE)

·         From Monday, June 24, through Sunday morning, June 30, eastbound traffic will be restricted to one lane beginning at 6:00 p.m. each evening and restored to two lanes before 6:00 a.m. on the following morning, from near the Highway 71 [Exit 12] Interchange to near the Highway 22 (Rogers Avenue) [Exit 8] Interchange.

I-540 RAMPS

·         On Monday, June 24, through Wednesday morning, June 26, the eastbound off-ramp at the I-540/Highway 255 (Zero St.) [Exit 11] Interchange, and the eastbound on-ramp at the I-540/Highway 71 [Exit 12] Interchange will be closed at 6:00 p.m. each evening and will be reopened by 6:00 a.m. on the following morning.

·         On Friday, June 28, through Sunday morning, June 30, the eastbound on-ramp at the I-540/Highway 255 (Zero St.) [Exit 11] Interchange, and the eastbound off-ramp at the I-540/Highway 45 (Greenwood Rd.) [Exit 10] Interchange will be closed at 6:00 p.m. each evening and will be reopened by 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.