Big Changes Coming to Big Rock Interchange this Weekend
By: Kelly Dudzik
Updated: February 28, 2013
This weekend, big changes are coming to the Big Rock Interchange in Little Rock.
The changes are coming Sunday because the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department tells KARK that is the least busy time there.
Crews will shift the 630 West and Financial Centre Parkway lanes, which means the left-hand turn lane from 630 West to Shackleford will go away. If you want to get to Shackleford from 630, you will need to take 430 South and get off at Exit 5.
Friday, we saw utility workers putting up new traffic lights at the end of 630 to help drivers out on Sunday.
"We know there are a lot of shops, restaurants and businesses on South Shackleford and by no means should this prohibit anyone from reaching any of those areas. We are just encouraging folks to find an alternate route to get where they want to go," says Danny Straessle with the AHTD.
The best advice is to give yourself more time to get where you need to go.
"We appreciate your patience, and once it's all said and done, it's going to be a great intersection in one of the busiest traffic corridors in the state," says Straessle.
"It'll be great when it's done. I work at Farm Bureau, and it causes a nightmare. It's a nightmare," says driver Janet Mobbs.
Jordan Gregory is a student from Texas just trying to get home. Before we could stop him for an interview Friday, he flagged us down to ask for directions. He was just one of the frustrated drivers we met.
This phase of the project will last until the end of the summer. It is still on track to be done sometime next year.
The changes are coming Sunday because the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department tells KARK that is the least busy time there.
Crews will shift the 630 West and Financial Centre Parkway lanes, which means the left-hand turn lane from 630 West to Shackleford will go away. If you want to get to Shackleford from 630, you will need to take 430 South and get off at Exit 5.
Friday, we saw utility workers putting up new traffic lights at the end of 630 to help drivers out on Sunday.
"We know there are a lot of shops, restaurants and businesses on South Shackleford and by no means should this prohibit anyone from reaching any of those areas. We are just encouraging folks to find an alternate route to get where they want to go," says Danny Straessle with the AHTD.
The best advice is to give yourself more time to get where you need to go.
"We appreciate your patience, and once it's all said and done, it's going to be a great intersection in one of the busiest traffic corridors in the state," says Straessle.
"It'll be great when it's done. I work at Farm Bureau, and it causes a nightmare. It's a nightmare," says driver Janet Mobbs.
Jordan Gregory is a student from Texas just trying to get home. Before we could stop him for an interview Friday, he flagged us down to ask for directions. He was just one of the frustrated drivers we met.
This phase of the project will last until the end of the summer. It is still on track to be done sometime next year.
