New Lanes to Open on U.S. Highway 70 in Garland and Saline Counties
Information Release
Arkansas Department of Transportation
NR 18-158
May 23, 2018
GARLAND AND SALINE COUNTIES (5-23) – Approximately 17.5 miles of newly constructed lanes on U.S. Highway 70 between Benton and Hot Springs are opening to traffic, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials.
Construction is nearing completion to widen U.S. Highway 70 to two travel lanes in each direction with a continuous center turn lane. Weather permitting, all travel lanes are anticipated to open to traffic ahead of the Memorial Day Weekend. In preparation of this opening, various traffic lane shifts will be needed to complete the project this week, and as work is completed, traffic barrels will be removed to allow use of all lanes between Interstate 30 in Benton (Exit 111) and the interchange with U.S. Highway 70 Business in Hot Springs.
The new traffic signal at the intersection with State Highway 128 began operating on Tuesday, May 22.
Work began in January 2017 on this $78.5 million widening project. In addition to widening the highway and reconstructing four bridges, the project improved safety conditions by straightening highway curves, flattening ditch slopes, eliminating the limited-length passing lanes, providing a continuous center turn lane, and installing a traffic signal at State Highway 128 to make driving conditions safer.
This project (Job CA0610) is part of ARDOT's Connecting Arkansas Program, which is funded through a 10-year, half-cent sales tax. More information on this project is available at ConnectingArkansasProgram.com.
Drivers should exercise caution when approaching and traveling through all highway work zones. Additional travel information can be found at IDriveArkansas.com or ARDOT.gov. You can also follow us on Twitter @myARDOT.
