The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department floated a surprise new proposal today for replacement of the Broadway Bridge. It would, in short, preserve the old bridge while building a new bridge along the west side. The old bridge then could be converted to a pedestrian/bike path. The plan would avoid the problem of closing the bridge for construction for up to two years. There might be a brief period of closure — say three weeks or so — to transition from an old bridge to the new one for auto traffic.

Two highway commissioners met with Mayors Mark Stodola and Pat Hays and County Judge Buddy Villines and members of local planning agencies.

Advertisement

Concerns were identified about the discordant appearance of two stylistically different bridges, one, the new one, six feet higher than the other. “Butt ugly,” is how one participant described the concept to me. The cities also were concerned about their costs to maintain the old bridge, which would pass into their ownership. Cost estimates are somewhat flexible on the new, surprise plan. It would curve into Broadway on the Little Rock side. The construction would interfere at least temporarily with parking for the Dickey-Stephens baseball park in North Little Rock.

The mayors of Little Rock and North Little Rock had been pushing, instead of a 24-month closing, to build a new bridge at Chester Street and then convert the old Broadway Bridge to a pedestrian link. The Highway Department said that idea was too cumbersome to accomplish without endangering federal money currently obligated to the replacement project. Highway officials said they thought they could get this new project underway in time to still qualify for the federal money. Some money allocated for demolition of the existing bridge could be used for rehab of that bridge for other uses, it was noted. That could be $3 million in savings.

Advertisement

Local officials were surprised by the proposal. They’ll have to do some study before forming a firm reaction and had a number of questions at today’s meeting. There were no renderings of the project to consider today, but some drawings of the route were shown and I hope to have some to show before long.

Be a Part of the Fight

Step up and make a difference by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, the progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock that's been fighting for truth for 50 years. Our tough, determined, and feisty journalism has earned us over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, all of whom value our commitment to holding the powerful accountable. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Join us in the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Occupy Little Rock delays legal action Next article LRPD memorializes officers killed in line of duty