Jacksonville, Arkansas – In a major development for Jacksonville’s infrastructure, a full closure of the northbound lanes on Highway 67/167 (Interstate 57) is set to take place this weekend, from 8 p.m. on Friday, March 7, until 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 8. The closure is necessary as crews continue with their efforts to widen the highway to six lanes between Main Street and Vandenberg Boulevard.
This key phase of the construction is expected to impact northbound traffic on the stretch of highway between Main Street and North James Street. The purpose of the closure is to allow workers to perform essential drainage improvements. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has emphasized that weather conditions will play a role in determining the precise timing of the work, but they anticipate minimal delays.
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During this period, drivers traveling northbound on Highway 67/167 will be rerouted. The detour will direct traffic to Exit 9 at Main Street, where drivers will then continue onto the frontage road and utilize the North James Street on-ramp to re-enter the northbound lanes of the highway. The detour is expected to be clearly marked with signs, police assistance, and message boards to guide motorists through the area safely.
“Traffic will be controlled with police assistance, message boards, construction barriers, and signage,” ARDOT said in a statement. “The public is advised to be cautious when traveling in the work zone and watch for slower traffic speeds.”
This construction project, known as Job CA0604, is part of ARDOT’s broader Connecting Arkansas Program. The initiative aims to modernize and expand various stretches of the state’s highways, improving traffic flow and safety. The current project involves widening 2.5 miles of Highway 67/167 to accommodate six lanes of traffic, stretching from Main Street (Exit 9) to Vandenberg Boulevard (Exit 11) in Jacksonville.
In addition to the widening of the highway, significant improvements will be made at several interchanges. These include the James Street interchange (Exit 10A), Gregory Street interchange (Exit 10B), and the Vandenberg Boulevard interchange (Exit 11). Another notable feature of the project is the conversion of the frontage roads from two-way to one-way, which is expected to improve traffic management in the area.
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The total cost of the project is $145.2 million, a significant investment aimed at enhancing travel efficiency and safety along this busy corridor. For more details about the project, residents and travelers can visit ConnectingArkansasProgram.com.
As construction work continues, officials remind the public to stay alert and plan accordingly, especially as this weekend’s closure could cause temporary disruptions. While the detours are designed to minimize delays, travelers should be prepared for slower traffic and remain patient as crews work to complete the improvements.
With the completion of this project, Jacksonville is poised to see a major boost in both traffic capacity and road safety, marking a key milestone in the state’s ongoing efforts to improve its infrastructure.
