Notice to Media

LITTLE ROCK (8-9) 

The following lane closures associated with work on Interstate 540 in the Fort Smith area have been scheduled for the week of August 12 through August 17. 

OKLAHOMA STATE LINE TO HIGHWAY 71 

• Westbound and eastbound traffic will continue to be restricted to one lane from near the Highway 71 Interchange [Exit 12] to near the Oklahoma State Line.  These lane closures are necessary to allow for shoulder reconstruction to continue along the outside edges of the pavement. 

HIGHWAY 22 (ROGERS AVENUE) TO HIGHWAY 253 (ZERO STREET)                  

• From Wednesday, August 14, through Sunday morning, August 18, the westbound lanes will be restricted to one lane from Highway 22 (Rogers Avenue) to Highway 253 (Zero Street) beginning at 6:00 P.M. each evening and will be restored to two lanes before 6:00 A.M. on the following morning. 

Traffic may be delayed for short periods of time on the off-ramps at Exits 9, 10 and 11 in the westbound direction as paving of the outside lane takes place at those locations. 

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

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.