Because of a new exit being built off of Interstate-540 in Springdale to ease congestion, traffic at times for the next two and a half weeks will move at a much slower pace.
Northbound and southbound traffic along the interstate is scaled back to one lane each between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. Monday through Friday, as crews work to connect Don Tyson Parkway to the interstate. Springdale city officials said the extension will allow travelers an alternative to the traffic-heavy U.S. Highway 412 that runs through the city.
Crews are working on the bridge part of the interchange that now spans I-540. That section of the project is scheduled to be finished in a few weeks.
Springdale drivers said the construction is well worth the delays because of the future of the finished project.
“It will be a quicker way for me to get on the highway and avoid a lot of the traffic that's around the 412 interchange that I currently use,” said Brittney Castleberry, who lives just down the road from the new exit.
Castleberry said she noticed the new bridge Wednesday morning that now spans I-540.
“There is a huge backup now just getting onto 412 and then getting onto 540, and that has gotten worse since we moved here,” said Springdale driver Tina Funk.
The $23 million project may be completed by August.
