$78.8 Million Dollar Interstate Rehabilitation Project Announced

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department and Kiewit Infrastructure South announced a $78.8 million dollar interstate rehabilitation project Monday.

The project will improve over seven miles of I-540 between I-40 and Highway 22 in Van Buren and Fort Smith area and is expected to begin on January 22nd.

This is the largest construction contract ever awarded by AHTD and work will include replacing nine bridges, improvement to bridge structures and the installation of sign structures in Crawford and Sebastian Counties. 

Modifications to I-540 bridges include replacing deck and raising the beams, and raising two bridges carring Hwy 64 over I-540.
 
Over 50,000 vehicles per day will travel thought this construction zone and during the constrution process the Arkanasas State Highway and Transportation Department is asking for people to try and find alternative routes and avoid the construction zone if possible.

The 2011 Interstate Rehabilitation Program is an estimated $1.2 billion program to improve approximately 450 miles of Arkansas Interstates.

Completeion of the project is expected to take a year and a half.