Improvements to Interstate 49 Require Overnight Lane Closures in Washington County
Information Release
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
NR 15-246
July 23, 2015
LITTLE ROCK (7-23) – Construction work on Interstate 49 in Washington County will require overnight lane closures, according to Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) officials.
The contractor will begin work to widen approximately 4.5 miles of Interstate 49 from four to six lanes. The work will require overnight closures of the northbound and southbound inside lanes of Interstate 49, beginning approximately a quarter mile north of the U.S. Highway 71B Interchange in Fayetteville and ending a quarter mile north of the U.S. Highway 412 Interchange in Springdale. The initial work includes removing existing pavement markings and restriping for a reduced lane width, widening the outside shoulder at the Clear Creek, Johnson Road and U.S. Highway 412 bridges, and installing a temporary concrete barrier rail along the median.
It is anticipated that the overnight lane closures will be required from Tuesday night, July 28th through Friday morning, August 14th. Closures on the southbound inside lane will begin July 28th and occur nightly from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Closures on the northbound inside lane will begin July 29th and occur nightly from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The lane closures will occur Sunday night through Friday morning each week.
Traffic will be controlled using barrels, electronic message boards, warning signs. Also, an automated traffic information system will be installed and tested at this time. Adjustment of the times of any announced lane closures may become necessary due to weather or other unforeseen conditions.
This project is part of AHTD's Connecting Arkansas Program and includes widening 4.5 miles of Interstate 49 to three lanes in each direction. The project is anticipated to be complete in late 2017. More information on this $28.3 million project is available at ConnectingArkansasProgram.com.
Motorists should exercise caution when approaching and traveling through all highway work zones. Additional travel information can be found at IDriveArkansas.com or ArkansasHighways.com. You can also follow us on Twitter @AHTD.