I-540 lanes to close in Fort Smith

News release

FORT SMITH (January 24) The Contractor has confirmed to the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department District Four Headquarters at Fort Smith plans to begin work on I-540 between Highway 22 (Rogers Avenue) in Fort Smith to I-40 in Van Buren.

On Monday, January 28, the Contractor will begin closure of the left lanes in both the northbound and southbound directions from Highway 22 to I-40.

Lane closures will begin after 8:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes in the area of Highway 22. The lane closure will extend north to I-40 and then the closure in southbound lanes will be undertaken from I- 40 south. The work to close the left lane in each direction is expected to take up to 3 days to complete. As a lane is closed, work will begin in the closed lane. Initial work will include reconstruction of the left shoulder in the northbound direction and construction of temporary crossovers and temporary ramps in the median area at various locations along the route.

Adjustment of the dates of the lane closures may be required due to weather or other unforeseen traffic conditions.

In November, 2012, the Arkansas Highway Commission awarded a contract, in the amount of $78.8 million, to Kiewit Infrastructure South Company of Fort Worth, Texas. The project includes re- construction of nine bridge structures and replacement of the driving surfaces of two bridge structures carrying traffic on the main lanes of I-540 and raising of bridges carrying Highway 64 traffic over I-540. In addition, the existing concrete pavement will be rubblized, to create a drainage layer, and overlaid with asphalt pavement.

The project is expected to be completed in mid-2014.

Motorists are reminded that the speed limit in the work zone is reduced from 65 miles per hour to 55 miles per hour, for the safety of the construction workers and the motorists. Increased traffic enforcement is scheduled in this work area and, under Arkansas law, fines are doubled for violations in the work zone.

Motorists are urged to use care and think ahead when traveling through the work zone. They should remember to Obey the Posted Speed Limits and Other Regulatory Signing; to Maintain a Steady Speed; to Leave Room between them and other vehicles; to Be Aware of Road Conditions in front of them; and to Anticipate the Need to Stop or Reduce Speed Substantially. Motorists are advised to consider alternate routes to reduce congestion in the work zone.

Up-to-date information on lane closures on this and other projects in the state is available at

www.arkansashighway….

January 24, 2013

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Lane closures for construction on Interstate 540 in Fort Smith and Van Buren will begin Monday, according to a news release from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.

The work closing the lanes is expected to take up to three days in each direction, according to the news release. Lanes will be closed between Rogers Avenue in Fort Smith and Interstate 40 in Van Buren.

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