LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Starting on Monday, April 15, the southbound lane of North Rodney Parham Road between Buff Lane and Pleasant Valley Drive will be closed for construction.
"Rodney Parham is a highly used street, and it was only two lanes in each direction," Little Rock Public Works Assistant Direct Maneesh Krishnan said. "It needed to be widened for a long time, so we're widening it to four lanes, and it will also have bike lanes on it."
Detour options will be available for vehicles in the area.
The first detour will divert motorists traveling southbound to Valley Club Circle, south on Valley Club Circle and then turn on Pleasant Valley Drive to return to North Rodney Parham Road.
Drivers traveling northbound will continue to use the existing northbound lane until construction on the west side of North Rodney Parham is complete. At this time, drivers will be detoured to the future southbound lane of North Rodney Parham Road.
The Rodney Parham Road Reconstruction Project started around Spring 2022, and Little Rock drivers have endured traffic and construction delays for two years.
"There have been challenges, mainly because utilities have been in the way, and those utility relocations have taken time," Krishnan said. "We've been working with our utility companies to get those relocations done. There have also been weather delays, but we're trying to do our best."
According to officials, residents who live on Fairway Drive, Happy Valley Drive, Tahoe Lane, or adjacent areas will be provided access to their homes from the south using the temporary northbound lane.
Krishnan said construction crews are working to make things move as smoothly as possible, such as moving trash bins for easier collection and making sure people can access their driveways.
Drivers have been urged to take caution while traveling through the area.
"Safety is most important for commuters and our construction workers," Krishnan said. "Keep an eye out for signs, follow the instructions and drive slowly."