Closed portion of U.S. 71 to reopen today (July 2)

The portion of U.S. 71 north of Mountainburg closed June 23 is scheduled to open by 5 p.m. today (July 2), about a week sooner than expected.

The closed portion of the road is located just south of the entrance to Lake Fort Smith State Park on U.S. 71. Northbound and southbound traffic have been alternately sharing one lane to get through the construction area in recent weeks. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) officials said a contractor repairing flood damage on the section of road discovered additional instability.

Those traveling to Lake Fort Smith State Park were required to enter from the north side of the entrance, meaning exiting Interstate 540 at the Winslow or West Fork exits. A 2007 AHTD traffic survey of the segment of U.S. 71 that is now closed showed a daily traffic count of 2,200 vehicles.

AHTD officials said today (July 2) traffic will use an unpaved area of the roadway with northbound and southbound traffic alternately sharing one lane.

A 2007 AHTD traffic survey of the segment of U.S. 71 that is now closed showed a daily traffic count of 2,200 vehicles.

“The closure had impacted access to the State Park as well as travel by residents of the area and emergency services” Joe Shipman, AHTD District Four engineer, said in the statement “Initial projections were for a closure of up to two weeks. The vigorous effort by the contractor has resulted in the roadway being re-opened sooner than projected.”