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 August 5 through August 10.

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.  This lane closure is necessary to allow for shoulder reconstruction along the             outside edge of the pavement.

HIGHWAY 45 (OLD GREENWOOD RD.) TO HIGHWAY 22 (ROGERS AVENUE)

·         From Monday, August 5, through Wednesday morning, August 7, the eastbound lanes will be restricted to one lane from Highway 45 (Old Greenwood Rd.) to Highway 22 (Rogers Avenue) 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 Wednesday, August 7, through Sunday morning, August 11, the westbound lanes will be restricted to one lane from Highway 22 (Rogers Avenue) to Highway 45 (Old Greenwood Rd.) beginning at 6:00 P.M. each evening and will be restored to two lanes before 6:00 A.M. on the following morning.

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.