Construction work to improve bridge decks on a portion of Interstate 555 is expected to take five months.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation is placing barrier walls, traffic barrels, and signage along the interstate between Marked Tree and Payneway. Lane closures are expected for the duration of the project, as well as a reduction of wide loads to 12 feet. This will affect both northbound and southbound lanes. The bridges are located along the Sunken Lands, which is between Payneway and Marked Tree.
The bridges are structurally safe, but are rough due to many potholes on the bridges. Temporary asphalt work on the bridges has made some of the travel smoother, but a more permanent solution is underway.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation has awarded a $12 million contract for work on the 16 bridges. American Contracting Services will remove the top two inches of concrete on each bridge to be replaced with a new concrete overlay.
