Tuesday, June 24, 2008

TOP STORY > >Frontage roads go one-way, one lane

By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer

Frontage roads running parallel to Hwy. 67/167 from the Wildwood Avenue exit to the Kiehl Avenue exit are now one-way roads, matching the flow of traffic on the frontage roads from Wildwood to McCain.

Sherwood police, along with state police, will have extra patrols out to make sure there is a smooth conversion and to help motorists who may get turned around by the change.

The conversion process was completed late Tuesday night. The two-mile section of frontage road being changed to one-way traffic will also drop from two to one lane for about the next month as construction crews continue to complete work on the frontage roads and the Brookwood Flyover which will exit onto Brookwood across from Kohl’s.

“The orange barrels in the opposite lane will help drivers know that the sections are now one-way,” said Sherwood police Capt. James Bedwell.

He said the last conversion to one-way lanes (from McCain to Wildwood) went pretty smoothly.

“We’ll do what we can to keep everyone safe and the traffic flowing properly,” the captain said.

The work is part of the $42.3 million contract awarded to Weaver-Bailey Contractors in September 2005.

The project includes reconstruction and widening of Hwy. 67/167 from four to six lanes from Wildwood to just north of Kiehl and from McCain Boulevard south to I-40.

The contract also includes the Brookwood flyover and a new Kiehl overpass.

“As always,” the police warned, “motorists are urged to exercise caution when approaching and traveling through highway work zones.”