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 and ramp closures associated with work on Interstate 540 in the Fort Smith area for the week of July 8 through July 14.

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 outside edge of the pavement.

HIGHWAY 255 (ZERO STREET) TO HIGHWAY 22 (ROGERS AVENUE)

·         From Monday, July 8, through Sunday morning, July 14, eastbound traffic will be restricted to one lane beginning at 6:00 p.m. each evening and will be restored to two lanes before 6:00 a.m. on the following morning, from near the Highway 255 (Zero Street) [Exit 11] Interchange to near the Highway 22 (Rogers Avenue) [Exit 8] Interchange.

I-540 RAMPS

·         On Tuesday, July 9, 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 (Old Greenwood Road) [Exit 10] Interchange will be closed at 6:00 p.m., and will be reopened by 6:00 a.m. on the following morning.

·         On Wednesday, July 10, through Friday morning, July 12, the eastbound off-ramp and the eastbound on-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 and ramp closures may be required due to weather or other unforeseen traffic 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.