Little Rock, Arkansas – Temporary overnight ramp closures are scheduled across key interstate exits in Pulaski County on the night of Thursday, October 16, into the early morning hours of Friday, October 17, as part of a safety system testing initiative by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT). Weather permitting, these closures will occur between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., impacting major highway connections in two-hour intervals to allow crews to test wrong-way detection systems.
Ramp Locations Affected
The scheduled closures will affect a number of off-ramps along Interstates 630, 430, and 40, as well as Highway 67/167 (Interstate 57). The specific locations where temporary closures will occur include:
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I-630 Eastbound, Exit 2A
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I-630 Westbound, Exit 2B
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I-630 Eastbound, Exit 2B
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I-630 Westbound, Exit 3A
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I-630 Westbound, Exit 4
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I-430 Northbound, Exit 8
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I-40 Eastbound, Exit 193
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I-40 Westbound, Exit 165
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Highway 67/167 Northbound, Exit 3
Only one ramp will be closed at a time, with three to four ramps expected to be completed per night. Emergency responders will continue to have access to the ramps throughout the testing. However, all other drivers will be directed to alternate exits.
Purpose of Closures and System Benefits
The overnight closures are necessary to test newly installed wrong-way detection systems, which are designed to alert drivers and traffic managers when a vehicle enters an exit ramp traveling the wrong direction.
These high-tech systems use sensors, closed-circuit television cameras, illuminators, hardware controllers, and warning devices to identify vehicles going the wrong way. Once detected, flashing LED lights will immediately alert the driver to the mistake, and an alarm will be sent to ARDOT’s Traffic Management Center, allowing officials to track the incident and alert necessary authorities.
The Arkansas Highway Police will manage traffic during these closures using message boards, signage, and barrels to guide drivers through alternate routes safely.
This effort is part of ARDOT’s ongoing commitment to improving highway safety and reducing dangerous incidents caused by wrong-way driving. Additional closures may be announced in the future as testing continues across other parts of the region.
