Notice to Media

The following lane closures associated with work on Interstate 540 in the Fort Smith area have been scheduled for the week of September 3 through September 8.

OKLAHOMA STATE LINE TO HIGHWAY 71

·         Westbound and eastbound traffic will be restricted to one lane from near the Oklahoma State Line to near the Highway 71 Interchange [Exit 12], beginning Wednesday, September 4. These lane closures are necessary to allow for the rehabilitation of the joints in the main lane concrete pavement.

HIGHWAY 71 (EXIT 12) TO HIGHWAY 22 (ROGERS AVENUE)

     ·         From Tuesday, September 3, through Sunday morning, September 8, westbound 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    bridge over Phoenix Avenue [Exit 10] to near the Highway 71 [Exit 12] Interchange.

Traffic may be delayed for short periods of time on the off-ramps at Exits 10, 11, and 12 and the on ramp at Old Greenwood Road (Hwy 45) in the westbound direction as paving of the outside lane takes place at those locations.

·         Westbound traffic will be restricted to one lane from near the Highway 22 Interchange (Rogers Ave.) [Exit 8] to near the Highway 71 Interchange [Exit 12] beginning Wednesday, September 4.  This lane closure is necessary to allow for work on the median barrier wall.

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.