Marion and Baxter County, Arkansas – Drivers who regularly travel across Bull Shoals Dam should prepare for a temporary road closure as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) completes scheduled maintenance work on the structure.
Highway 178 across Bull Shoals Dam will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, and Wednesday, August 5, according to USACE officials. The closure will take place as crews perform routine maintenance on the dam, with the work schedule dependent on weather conditions.
The temporary closure is being coordinated with local emergency management officials and law enforcement agencies to help maintain safety and reduce potential disruptions for motorists. Officials are encouraging travelers to be aware of the closure dates and plan alternate routes before starting their trips.
During the closure period, motorists will not be able to use the section of Highway 178 that crosses the dam. Instead, drivers will need to follow detour routes around the closure area, depending on whether they are traveling north or south of Bull Shoals Dam.
Travelers heading to destinations on Highway 178 north of the closure will need to take an alternate route beginning on Highway 178 through Lakeview. From there, drivers will continue south on Highway 5 through Midway, then travel south on Highway 126 through Gassville. The route will continue west on Highway 412 through Flippin before reconnecting with Highway 178 through the town of Bull Shoals.
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Drivers traveling to destinations south of the closure will use the opposite detour. Motorists will travel along Highway 178 through Bull Shoals, continue east on Highway 412 through Flippin, then take Highway 126 north through Gassville. The route will continue on Highway 5 north through Midway before returning to Highway 178.
The USACE said the maintenance work is part of ongoing efforts to preserve and maintain critical infrastructure at Bull Shoals Dam. Temporary closures are used to provide crews with a safer environment while completing necessary work on the facility.
Officials recommend that motorists allow extra travel time while using the detour routes, especially during peak travel periods. Drivers should also pay attention to posted signs and follow directions from local authorities while the closure is in place.
For additional details about the scheduled closure, residents and travelers can contact the Mountain Home USACE Project Office at (870) 425-2700. Updates and additional information are also available through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website.
Motorists looking for current road conditions and traffic updates are encouraged to check IDriveArkansas.com before traveling.
Once the scheduled maintenance work is completed, Highway 178 across Bull Shoals Dam is expected to reopen and return to normal traffic operations. The USACE appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation while crews complete the necessary improvements.
