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New Lane Closures In Interstate 49 Expansion

SPRINGDALE, Ark.  (KFSM) – The commute to and from work could take longer for some drivers as the section of Interstate 49 in Northwest Arkanasas, between...

SPRINGDALE, Ark.  (KFSM) - The commute to and from work could take longer for some drivers as the section of Interstate 49 in Northwest Arkanasas, between the Wagon Wheel Road exit and West Monroe Avenue exit in Lowell, is back down to two lanes in both directions.

Construction crews closed the inside lanes in both directions on so work could continue on the Springdale Northern Bypass project, which is leaving some drivers frustrated.

"I don`t drive the interstate anymore, I don`t," said Kimberly Napier, a local resident who grew up in the area. "I take back roads or I`ll go through the line of traffic on 71."

She said she's ready for construction to be done, but has hope that the addition of a new lane will ease accidents that back up traffic.

"When there's an accident with two lanes, usually both lanes are blocked off and it's getting pretty bad," said Napier.

Contractors have been working ahead of schedule on several sections of I-49, according to the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, but stated that the Springdale Northern Bypass would need traffic reduced to four lanes.

"To keep the racetrack effect from occurring, and that's where folks jump into that third lane, zoom ahead into the front of the line and try to cut back in before it ends, said Danny Straessle, public information officer for AHTD. "We've just gone ahead and striped off that third lane."

Straessle said it would give workers ample space to do their job.

A few miles south, concrete barriers have started being moved between 71B and Arkansas Highway 412.

"That will continue to happen but it's a great sign of progress, it's the next phase," said Straessle. "It's the next step that we're taking here and then pretty soon, hopefully by the end of the year we'll have some usable sections of three lane pavement on I-49."

Work is expected to be completed over the next couple of years with a total project completion date set for 2022.

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