Notice to Media

LITTLE ROCK (10-4) 

The following lane closures associated with work on Interstate 540 in the Fort Smith area have been scheduled for the week of October 7 through October 12.

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 and for work adjacent to the roadway shoulder.

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

·         Closures of the inside lane in the westbound direction can be expected as the contractor continues performing work along the median barrier wall.

      RAMP CLOSURES

·         The westbound off ramp at the US Highway 71 Interchange (Exit 12) will be closed from 6:00 P.M. each evening and will reopen before 6:00 A.M. the next morning on the following days— Monday, October 7 and Tuesday, October 8.  While the westbound off ramp is closed, message boards and other signing will be used to direct Hwy 71 South traffic via Hwy 255 and Hwy 71B to Hwy 71 South.  Additionally, the westbound off ramp will be restricted in width during the daytime hours Monday through Wednesday, October 9, as the contractor performs work along the ramp.

Adjustment of the times and dates of the lane or ramp 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.