The conversion of North Little Rock frontage roads to one-way operation along Highway 67/167 between McCain Boulevard and Wildwood Avenue is becoming closer to reality, according to Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) officials.  Although an exact starting date will depend upon weather and other variables, the contractor anticipates that the one-way conversion will be possible as early as the evening of Monday, June 27^th, 2005.  The conversion will involve closing one frontage road lane on each side of Highway 67/167, leaving only southbound Warden Road and northbound Landers Road open to traffic.  From then on, frontage road traffic will only be allowed to travel in the same direction as the Highway 67/167 lane next to it. 

To make the one-way conversion process as safe and convenient as possible, the contractor will open the newly constructed turnaround ramp at Wildwood Ave. in addition to completing the underpass at Five Mile Creek.  A few days later, the new McCain Blvd. turnaround ramp will be opened.  “Reducing indirection for the convenience of motorists in this area has been a top priority for AHTD planners on this project,” said Dan Flowers, Director of the AHTD.  “Initially, there may be some confusion as drivers adjust to this change, but once they become accustomed to the new travel patterns, motorists will see a significant improvement to the traffic flow and safety within this high-traffic corridor.”    

The first step of the conversion process will be to close lanes with orange barrels and barricades.  The contractor has stockpiled these supplies in preparation for setting the barrels along the shoulders in advance of the closing.  It is likely that the lane closures will take place overnight as the contractor moves the barrels to block opposing frontage road lanes along both sides of Highway 67/167.  One-Way, Wrong Way and Do Not Enter signs will be posted along the frontage roads to indicate proper navigation of new routes.  Signs will also be posted across from all driveways to remind motorists that only right turns are allowed onto the frontage roads.

During the lane closure period for the one-way conversion, asphalt paving crews will take advantage of the opportunity to resurface the frontage roads.  Beginning on the east side of Highway 67/167 (northbound Landers Road ), crews will overlay asphalt on the closed lane adjacent to the highway first.  Once complete, traffic will be switched to the newly paved lane while crews resurface the other lane.  Paving operations will then move to the west frontage road (Warden) to repeat the process, working one lane at a time.  During the frontage road resurfacing, driveways and adjacent roads will be briefly blocked for the few minutes it will take for the paving machine to pass and the roller to compact the hot mix asphalt.    

AHTD engineers estimate that single-lane frontage roads will remain for up to three weeks to allow an adjustment period for motorists to get used to the one-way travel.  During the conversion process, frontage road traffic will continue to yield to traffic exiting the highway.  Lane striping along the one-way frontage roads will be changed from the current double yellow center lines to a single dashed or solid white line indicating two parallel lanes traveling in the same direction.  Motorists should be aware that a dashed roadway line indicates that changing lanes is allowed while a solid white line, primarily used where highway exit ramps enter the frontage road, indicates that changing lanes is not allowed at that location.

The one-way frontage road conversion is part of a $22.5 million reconstruction project on Highway 67/167 between McCain Blvd. and Wildwood Ave.   The project includes constructing an additional lane in each direction for 1.2 miles and adding a median barrier wall and three new turnaround locations between the frontage roads.  As the main corridor in and out of central Arkansas from the north, approximately 80,000 vehicles travel on this section of Highway 67/167 each day, with a combined total of nearly 24,000 vehicles traveling on the frontage roads between McCain Blvd. and Wildwood Ave.  “The expansion and improvements will add capacity to Highway 67/167 and frontage roads while improving safety,” added Flowers.  “Once upgrades are completed, motorists should expect easier commutes, less congestion and fewer accidents.”

One-way frontage roads offer many clear and convincing advantages to two-way operation.  Not only are intersections simplified throughout the frontage road system, but the one-way configuration prevents left turns which greatly contribute to congestion, and eliminates conflicts between vehicles traveling in opposite directions.  Following the success of another one-way frontage road conversion along 17 miles of I-30 between Little Rock and Benton in October, 2002, AHTD officials anticipate that motorists will welcome the safety and operational improvements once the initial adjustment period has passed.

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.  Details of this and other planned lane closures of 4 hours or more may be found at the www.ArkansasHighways.com website.  After clicking on the “ROADS” button, a “ Daily Lane Closures” page lists continuous updates to current and upcoming lane closure locations and timeframes.  The AHTD Public Affairs Office is available via phone at 501-569-2227 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to assist motorists with information.

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