Fortify

DOT opens freshly paved lanes on I-440 East in Fortify zone

After several days of weather-related delays, freshly paved lanes of Interstate 440 East in the Fortify work zone opened to traffic Friday morning.

Posted 2014-08-15T11:57:08+00:00 - Updated 2014-08-15T11:57:08+00:00

As crews finish paving two of four lanes on Interstate 440 West, they will shift traffic and allow cars to travel on the newly paved section of the highway.

After several days of weather-related delays, freshly paved lanes of Interstate 440 East in the Fortify work zone opened to traffic Friday morning.

Construction Crews from Granite Construction switched travel from outside lanes to inside lanes early Friday on I-440 East between the Interstate 40/440 split and U.S. Highway 64/264.

Crews shifted traffic on I-440 West from outside to inside lanes about a month ago. The I-440 portion of the Fortify project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

The new traffic pattern essentially eliminates the shoulder along the stretch of I-440 in the work zone.

State Department of Transportation officials say drivers that experience car trouble should make every effort to get to the next exit. Those that do break down in the work zone should stay inside their vehicles, turn on the vehicle's safety flashers and call 911.

Once the paving on I-440 is done, crews will shift their attention to I-40, which makes up the bulk of the 11.1-mile rebuild.

Although no major work is ongoing on I-40, there is bridge prep work and shoulder paving being done to prepare the highway for the major portion of the project.