Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) officials announce that SOUTHBOUND Highway 67/167 will be temporarily reduced to one lane of travel on Monday November 15^th between mile markers 1 and 3 beginning at 6 p.m.  Lane closures will begin after the afternoon rush hour with two lanes expected to be restored prior to the next morning’s peak travel time at 6 a.m.  The closures are needed in order for construction crews to begin shifting Highway 67/167 SOUTHBOUND traffic on to new concrete lanes between Wildwood Avenue and McCain Boulevard, including the new bridge structure over Five Mile Creek. 

Approximately one week after the southbound traffic shift, the contractor will repeat the lane closure and traffic shift process for the northbound lanes.  Once this transition is complete, two lanes in each direction will be traveling on the new pavement and bridge structure while construction crews remove and replace the original northbound side of the highway and build the other half of the Five Mile Creek bridge.    

In addition to the traffic switch, a new southbound entrance ramp at the Wildwood interchange from Warden Road to Hwy 67/167 will be in place.  This ramp is located approximately 1,500 feet south of the original ramp location and is between the Midas Muffler Shop and Tractor Supply Company on Warden Road.  Northbound traffic on Warden Road will continue to yield to traffic on this ramp and several new yield signs have been installed to forewarn motorists of the new ramp location.

The closures and traffic shift are necessary in order to progress to the next phase of construction as part of the $22.5 million widening of Hwy. 67/167 in this area.  The contractor, Muskogee Bridge Company of Muskogee, OK, has been building the southbound side of the Five Mile Creek underpass and new turnaround lanes at McCain and Wildwood in addition to removing and replacing the southbound travel lanes.  During this time, southbound motorists between Wildwood and McCain have been traveling on temporary lanes to the eastern side of the roadway.  

All work will be done as weather permits with possible rainfall forcing the transition schedule to begin at a later date.  Motorists are reminded to stay alert, avoid distractions and follow all signs and speed limits in the work zone with doubled fines occurring for all moving violations.  Additional details of this and other lane closures may be found by clicking on the ROADS button at www.ArkansasHighways.com for continuous updates to current and upcoming lane closure locations and time frames.  The AHTD Public Affairs Office is available via phone at 501-569-2227 on Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to assist motorists with construction information.

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