Notice to Media

Improvements to I-40 Near Prothro Junction Underway

LITTLE ROCK (5-01) – The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) is beginning construction on another section of Interstate 40 as part of the Interstate Rehabilitation Program (IRP). The IRP is the $950 million program which will rehabilitate 380 miles—60 percent—of Arkansas Interstates by the end of 2004. As part of the Department’s public information effort, the Pave The Way campaign informs motorists of daily lane closures, average travel times between key points and provides a monthly email update at www.ArkansasInterstates.com. In addition, signs will be in place along the route advising motorists of radio stations to tune to for the latest construction information.

This project will improve nine miles of Interstate 40 from the U.S. Highway 67/167 interchange in North Little Rock to the Lonoke County line. A contractor for AHTD will periodically close eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 40 near Prothro Junction during the period Wednesday, May 2 through Saturday, May 5, 2001, according to AHTD Director Dan Flowers.

Beginning at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening and continuing until 6:00 a.m. Thursday morning, one eastbound lane will be closed while the contractor does milling and asphalt work on the eastbound shoulder in preparation for routing traffic onto the shoulder during rehabilitation of the Interstate. On Thursday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m. and continuing until 6:00 a.m. Friday morning, May 4, 2001, one eastbound lane will be closed to install a barrier wall.

Beginning at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening, May 3, and continuing until 6:00 a.m. Friday morning, May 4, milling and asphalt work will take place on the westbound shoulder. On Friday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m. and continuing until 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening, May 5, one westbound lane will be closed to install a barrier wall and complete shoulder work.

Motorists may want to use an alternate route or allow extra travel time during the lane closure periods. As always, motorists are urged to “Think Ahead” and exercise caution when approaching and traveling through work zones.

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