The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department has released preliminary design ideas for a replacement for the Broadway Bridge. Among other details, the Highway Department said its initial commitment of $45 million for the bridge will be increased to $58 million, based on preliminary engineering studies. Twin-tied arch and cable-stayed designs (the latter of which won favor in an unofficial bridge design contest that Metroplan sponsored) were also considered, but deemed more expensive or more time-consuming to build than the designs below.
The existing bridge is safe and could be repaired, but highway officials have decided a wider span with better accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists is preferable to continuing repair. The closure could last 18 months or more. See more images below and make comment on the designs here.