Notice to Media

Improvements to I-540 in Fort Smith

LITTLE ROCK (8-16)

The following lane closures associated with work on Interstate 540 in the Fort Smith area have been scheduled for the week of August 19 through August 25.

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 the rehabilitation of the joints in the main lane concrete pavement.

HIGHWAY 45 (OLD GREENWOOD ROAD) TO HIGHWAY 22 (ROGERS AVENUE)

· Main lane traffic will be restricted to one lane eastbound between the Phoenix Avenue Overpass and the Hwy 22 (Rogers Avenue) Interchange [Exit 8]. This lane closure will be of short duration and will only be in place between the hours of 9 A.M. and 3 P.M. The lane closure is necessary to allow for work along the median barrier wall.

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

· Monday, August 19 and Tuesday, August 20, the westbound lanes will be restricted to one lane from Highway 22 (Rogers Avenue) to Highway 255 (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-ramp at Leigh Avenue/Phoenix Avenue East (Exit 10) and the off-ramp and on-ramp at Phoenix Avenue West/Old Greenwood Road (Hwy 45) (Exit 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.