Highway 281 Reduced to One Southbound Lane in Southwest Jamestown Feb. 6

Road construction will reduce southbound U.S. Highway 281 to a single lane through a stretch of southwest Jamestown on Friday, Feb. 6, creating potential delays for commuters and commercial traffic near the Interstate 94 bridge.

On Friday, February 6, 2026, there will be a south bound lane reduction on Highway 281 South, from 18th St SW to one block South of 20th St SW (Interstate 94 bridge) in Jamestown. This will continue throughout the day until the work is finished, NewsDakota reported. The City Engineer’s Office notified residents that the work will affect the south side of the I-94 bridge and reduce the roadway to one southbound lane.

Local coverage echoed the same timing and general location. "A southbound lane reduction will begin Friday, Feb. 6, in southwest Jamestown," the Jamestown Sun wrote. "The lane reduction at U.S. Highway 281 will be from 18th Street to 20th Street Southwest. The lane reduction will continue throughout the day or until the work is finished." Both outlets advised drivers to avoid the area where possible; NewsDakota urged motorists to "use caution in this area and take alternate routes during this time, if possible," and the Jamestown Sun repeated that motorists should take alternate routes if possible.

The notice identifies the City Engineer’s Office as the agency communicating the plan. The published reports do not specify the exact nature of the construction work - such as paving, bridge repair, or utility work - nor do they list start or end times beyond the broad "throughout the day" window. The Jamestown Sun item also includes a standalone reference to "Adam Martin, director of the F5 Project" without additional context or comment.

While Highway 281 is a common route name in other states, a separate incident earlier in Wichita Falls, Texas, underscores how single-lane conditions can magnify disruptions. KAUZ reported that an oversized load became wedged at an on-ramp where Southwest Parkway joins Highway 281; "The portion affected by the closure starts at the on ramp where Southwest Parkway joins Highway 281. The ramp had already been reduced to one lane due to construction." KAUZ added that "WFPD Officer Kirkland is on the scene and confirmed that an oversized load had gotten wedged between the guardrail and dividing barriers. A towing company was on the scene to dislodge the trailer." First responders estimated that reopening would take one to two hours. That incident occurred in Wichita Falls and is separate from Jamestown’s planned work.

For Jamestown drivers, the lane reduction means added congestion on an arterial corridor that carries commuter and commercial traffic across I-94. Expect slower southbound travel through the 18th Street SW to 20th Street SW corridor and consider alternate routes or travel times on Feb. 6. Residents seeking confirmation of exact limits, detour signage, or traffic-control plans should contact Jamestown city officials or the City Engineer’s Office for updates before traveling.