Landslide Closes Highway 7 in Newton Co.
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: August 14, 2012
According to the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, Highway 7 Section 18 South of Jasper is closed.
Traffic is being diverted off of Highway 7 eastward to Vendor, then back to Highway 7 using Highways 374, 123, and 74. Highway officials estimate Highway 7 should reopen early next week.
An approximate 125-foot section of the highway collapsed while a contractor for the AHTD was repairing damage to the roadway that occurred during heavy rains in October 2009. Only one lane of traffic was open at the time of the slide, and no vehicles, equipment or personnel were involved.
Crouse Construction of Harrison is the contractor that is working on the Highway 7 project. They began the work in July 2011 and expect to be complete this fall. It is not known at this time what impact, if any, today's slide will have on the estimated completion of the project.
Traffic is being diverted off of Highway 7 eastward to Vendor, then back to Highway 7 using Highways 374, 123, and 74. Highway officials estimate Highway 7 should reopen early next week.
An approximate 125-foot section of the highway collapsed while a contractor for the AHTD was repairing damage to the roadway that occurred during heavy rains in October 2009. Only one lane of traffic was open at the time of the slide, and no vehicles, equipment or personnel were involved.
Crouse Construction of Harrison is the contractor that is working on the Highway 7 project. They began the work in July 2011 and expect to be complete this fall. It is not known at this time what impact, if any, today's slide will have on the estimated completion of the project.
