Little Rock, Arkansas – Major traffic impacts are expected over the weekend of October 4-7 as part of the Interstate 30 (I-30) westbound Arkansas River bridge construction project. Drivers in Little Rock and North Little Rock are encouraged to use alternate routes, with significant detours planned to transition traffic onto the new river bridge and align traffic to its final configuration. This is the first of three phases for the traffic shift. All work is weather permitting.
I-30 Westbound Closure Details
From 10 p.m. on Friday, October 4, until 5 a.m. on Monday, October 7, all westbound lanes of I-30 will be closed. While this closure will not impact eastbound traffic on I-30, drivers should expect considerable delays and plan for detours.
Phase 1 Detour Overview
Westbound I-30 traffic will experience the following detour pattern over the weekend:
- Traffic will be reduced to one lane and directed to Exit 141B (Broadway Street) in North Little Rock. From there, traffic will be diverted to Cypress Street. To maintain the flow, the traffic signal at Broadway Street will be modified to provide seamless movement onto I-30 westbound.
- Traffic will then be rerouted to Riverfront Drive and North Locust Street in North Little Rock.
- The detour continues as drivers use the new Broadway Street on-ramp to return to I-30 westbound.
- Upon crossing the Arkansas River bridge, westbound traffic will take the new downtown Little Rock exit to 4th Street (Exit 140).
- Vehicles will then proceed along the southbound frontage road and take the 9th Street on-ramp to rejoin I-30 westbound.
- For those on Interstate 630 (I-630) westbound, drivers will continue on the southbound frontage road and use the newly opened ramp to access I-630 westbound.
For additional details on the Phase 1 detour, a map is available at NR 24-305-A.
Post-Detour Traffic Patterns and Ramp Changes
After the weekend detour, several changes to traffic patterns will occur:
Newly Opened Ramps:
- The Broadway Street on-ramp in North Little Rock will open.
- The 4th Street off-ramp (Exit 140) in downtown Little Rock will be accessible.
- The I-630 westbound on-ramp from the southbound frontage road in Little Rock will also open.
Closure of Temporary Ramps:
- The Bishop Lindsey Avenue on-ramp in North Little Rock, used during construction, will close.
- The 6th Street off-ramp in Little Rock will be closed.
For ramp opening specifics, refer to the map NR 24-305-B.
New Traffic Flow and Decisions Before River Bridge
With these changes, traffic must make crucial decisions before crossing the river bridge:
- Use the right or center lane to exit to downtown Little Rock or to access I-630.
- Use the left or center lane to stay on I-30 westbound.
A traffic pattern map is available for reference at NR 24-305-C.
Plan Ahead
Motorists traveling through the affected areas during the weekend should use caution, expect delays, and consider using alternate routes to avoid the detours. For the most current information, drivers are encouraged to check local traffic updates.
By following the detour maps and planning accordingly, drivers can better navigate the construction and minimize disruptions during this phase of the I-30 bridge project.
