Notice to Media

An Array of Assistance is Available for Motorists

While Arkansas Interstate Rehabilitation Underway

LITTLE ROCK (11-9) — A wide array of information and assistance is being made available to motorists during the holiday driving period and beyond as the Interstate Rehabilitation Program (IRP) proceeds on Interstates throughout Arkansas.

During this program, 380 miles of Arkansas Interstates will be re-built and re-surfaced during the next five years. Work is already underway on several construction projects under the program, yet before the first years’ contracts are completed, many more contracts will begin. “Since traveling can be stressful during the holidays and anytime construction activity is taking place, we want motorists to know about and use the variety of informational resources available to them from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD),” said Dan Flowers, director of the AHTD. “We know there will be some delays because of the work zones, and we know that holidays always find more motorists taking to the roads for visits, shopping and other reasons.”

“For that reason, we are trying very hard to make certain motorists are kept aware of the location of the work zones, the amount of delays they can expect and ways they can minimize the inconvenience brought about by this ambitious, yet necessary program. “Of course, safety of motorists and work crews are our foremost concern, especially during the holidays when people’s attention often is diverted by the spirit of the season.” Flowers said motorists may find information and assistance from several sources in planning their holiday road travel to take into account the construction program:

The AHTD Internet website at www.arkansashighways.com offers a wealth of information. Of special assistance is a lane closure map that may be accessed at the website’s ROADS page. Visitors may also download and print a text version listing all existing lane closure and construction sites here.
The Public Affairs Office at the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department is available by calling (501) 569-2227, by fax at (501) 569-2698 or by e-mail at .
For emergency roadside assistance, motorists may call the Arkansas Highway Police at (501) 569-2421.
Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) assistance is available by tuning your car radio to 1610 AM in the West Memphis area and 1680 AM in the Lonoke area on Interstate 40. This radio broadcast will broadcast the most up-to-date information about construction in those particular locations, expected delays, lane closures and other vital information.
Variable message boards are situated at key locations to flash safety tips and warnings on conditions ahead. In some “smart” work zones such as one between Lonoke and Carlisle and another near West Memphis, these message boards display real-time traffic conditions such as the average speed at which traffic is moving through the construction zone ahead.

“We want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday season,” Flowers said, “and we are striving to be certain that all necessary assistance is provided during the construction program on Arkansas highways.

For more information, motorists may contact the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department at (501) 569-2227 or visit the Department’s website at www.arkansashighways.com

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