Little Rock, Arkansas – Drivers traveling near Bull Shoals Dam should prepare for a temporary road closure later this month as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) schedules maintenance work along Highway 178.
Highway 178 across Bull Shoals Dam will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, and Thursday, July 30. The closure is planned to allow crews to complete routine maintenance activities at the dam. Officials said the closure is weather permitting and will only affect the scheduled hours during the two-day maintenance period.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has coordinated the temporary closure with local emergency management officials and law enforcement agencies to help ensure the work can be completed safely while minimizing disruptions for the traveling public.
During the closure, motorists will not be able to cross Bull Shoals Dam on Highway 178 and will need to use alternate routes depending on their destination. Drivers heading to locations north of the closure will need to follow a longer detour through several nearby communities.
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For travelers needing to reach areas north of the dam, the recommended route will begin on Highway 178 through Lakeview, continue to Highway 5 south through Midway, then move to Highway 126 south through Gassville. From there, drivers will continue west on Highway 412 through Flippin before reconnecting with Highway 178 through the town of Bull Shoals.
Motorists traveling to destinations south of the closure will use the reverse detour route. Those drivers should take Highway 178 through Bull Shoals, continue east on Highway 412 through Flippin, then travel north on Highway 126 through Gassville. The route will continue along Highway 5 north through Midway before reconnecting with Highway 178.
Officials are encouraging drivers to plan ahead, allow additional travel time, and check current road conditions before beginning their trips. The detour routes may add extra distance and time for residents, commuters, and visitors who normally use Highway 178 across the dam.
The Bull Shoals Dam area is an important transportation route for communities surrounding the region, and officials said the scheduled maintenance is necessary to support the continued operation and safety of the facility.
Travelers looking for updated traffic information can check IDriveArkansas.com for the latest road conditions and possible changes related to the closure.
For additional details about the maintenance work or the temporary Highway 178 closure, residents can contact the Mountain Home USACE Project Office at (870) 425-2700 or visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website at http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/.
Officials remind motorists that weather conditions could affect the schedule, and any updates regarding the closure will be communicated as needed.
