Fayetteville, Arkansas – Overnight closures have been scheduled along a busy section of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Fayetteville. Transportation officials announced that traffic will be temporarily halted on portions of the roadway so crews can safely complete important bridge work tied to Interstate 49.
The closures will affect Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, also known as Highway 62, where it crosses over Interstate 49. Officials said the work is necessary as construction continues on a new southbound Interstate bridge over the major Fayetteville roadway.
Overnight Closures Planned for Three Nights
According to transportation officials, the overnight shutdowns will take place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. on three consecutive nights, beginning Monday evening. The scheduled closures are set for the following timeframes:
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Monday night, March 16 – Tuesday morning, March 17
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Tuesday night, March 17 – Wednesday morning, March 18
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Wednesday night, March 18 – Thursday morning, March 19
Officials emphasized that the work schedule is dependent on weather conditions. If the weather allows, construction crews will use the overnight window to install key structural components for the developing bridge project.
The work will involve lifting and placing large pieces of steel that will form part of the framework for the new Southbound Interstate bridge over MLK Boulevard (Highway 62). Because of the size of the materials and the equipment required, the roadway below must be closed to ensure safety for both workers and drivers.
Detours Will Guide Drivers Around the Area
While the closures are in place, drivers will still be able to move through the area using temporary detours. Officials stated that a signed detour will be in place to guide motorists safely around the work zone.
Drivers traveling westbound on MLK Boulevard will be directed onto Interstate 49 north. From there, they will take the Wedington Drive exit, also known as Exit 64. After traveling along Wedington Drive, motorists can reconnect with Interstate 49 south and continue back to MLK Boulevard using Exit 62 to resume westbound travel.
Eastbound traffic will follow a different route. Motorists heading east on MLK Boulevard will be directed onto Interstate 49 south toward the Cato Springs Road exit. Drivers will exit at Exit 60 and then use Cato Springs Road to return to Interstate 49 north. Once back on the interstate, they can take Exit 62 to reconnect with MLK Boulevard and continue eastbound.
Transportation officials encourage drivers to remain alert when traveling near the construction zone and to follow posted detour signs carefully. The overnight work schedule is designed to reduce disruptions during peak daytime traffic hours, but motorists should still expect minor delays while the closures are in effect.
For those planning travel through the area during the closure period, additional updates and real-time road information are available online. Officials noted that additional travel information can be found at IDriveArkansas.com.
The temporary closures mark another step forward in the ongoing improvements along the Interstate 49 corridor, a project aimed at strengthening infrastructure and improving traffic flow through Fayetteville. As crews continue installing major structural elements of the new bridge, officials say the overnight work will help keep the construction timeline moving while limiting the impact on daily commuters.
