Arkansas – Over the next three nights, drivers on Interstate 40 in Pulaski and Prairie Counties will need to plan for intermittent ramp closures as the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) tests a new wrong-way detection system. The closures, scheduled from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night, will allow crews to test various components of the system, which aims to improve highway safety.
These closures will affect both eastbound and westbound lanes of I-40, with ARDOT planning to close one ramp at a time. On any given night, crews will work on three to four ramps, conducting tests to ensure the new detection system functions as intended. The work is set to begin on Tuesday, July 8, weather permitting.
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The wrong-way detection system is designed to alert drivers who are heading in the wrong direction on ramps or the main highway. The system incorporates a range of technologies, including vehicle sensors, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, hardware controllers, illuminators, and warning devices. When a vehicle travels in the wrong direction, LED lights will begin to flash, immediately notifying the driver of their error. Additionally, the system will send an alert to the Arkansas Department of Transportation’s Management Center, where staff will monitor the situation and report it accordingly.
ARDOT has provided alternative exit routes for travelers to use while the ramps are closed. These alternatives include the following exits along Interstate 40:
• Eastbound, Exit 148
• Westbound, Exit 148
• Westbound, Exit 193
• Eastbound, Exit 199 (White River Rest Area)
• Westbound, Exit 199 (White River Rest Area)
• Eastbound, Exit 202
• Westbound, Exit 202
As part of the testing process, highway police will be on hand to manage traffic and ensure safety. They will use barrels, message boards, and signs to direct drivers along the alternate routes. These measures will help minimize confusion and keep traffic flowing smoothly during the ramp closures.
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The goal of the wrong-way detection system is to reduce accidents caused by drivers mistakenly entering ramps or highways in the wrong direction. By providing immediate alerts to motorists and the ARDOT Management Center, the system is designed to reduce the likelihood of dangerous head-on collisions. With the testing set to begin this week, drivers are encouraged to be mindful of any closures or signage along I-40 and adjust their routes accordingly.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation continues to focus on safety improvements across the state’s highways, and this new detection system is one of many steps aimed at making roadways safer for all drivers.
