Notice to Media

Construction on New St. Francis River Bridge Could Be Underway Next Year

LITTLE ROCK (7-7) -- The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) are moving ahead with plans to start work on a new bridge spanning the St. Francis River next year, according to MoDOT Director Henry Hungerbeeler and AHTD Director Dan Flowers.

“MoDOT is leading this multi-state project and has nearly completed the design for the new bridge,” Hungerbeeler said. “With the funding commitment from Arkansas, the bridge replacement and relocation project is on MoDOT’s letting schedule for July 2001. This means that bids from contractors will be solicited next year in July and work could get underway that fall.”

Arkansas Highway Commissioner J. W. “Buddy” Benafield recently announced that the AHTD is committed to providing the necessary funds to see this project to fruition. “This project is important to northeast Arkansas and is a vital link in planned improvements along the Highway 412 corridor in both Arkansas and Missouri,” Benafield stated.

MoDOT Project Manager DawnRae Vaught said, “The St. Francis River bridge is an important connection between Arkansas and Missouri. It makes sense to include the bridge among the top priorities for both states.”

Right of way purchases will begin shortly in both Missouri and Arkansas in preparation for the new bridge construction. The bridge construction is expected to be complete in 2003.

In addition to the new bridge over the St. Francis River, both Arkansas and Missouri are in the planning stages for other improvements along the Highway 412 corridor. Arkansas is looking at the possibility of constructing a bypass around the town of Paragould and is planning to widen Highway 412 west from Paragould to the Highway 141 intersection. Improvements are also planned for two bridges between Paragould and the St. Francis River.

Vaught added that Missouri is continuing with the detailed engineering work on other Highway 412 projects located between I-55 and Kennett.

Work is moving ahead on the six miles of roadway grading from Routes B and Z to County Road 287 west in Pemiscot County and is expected to be complete by year-end. This contract was awarded to Persons Construction, Inc., of Poplar Bluff, for $2.9 million in February. The relocation of four miles of Lateral Ditch #74 and the construction of a new box culvert adjacent to the existing culvert at Elk Chute are also included.

MoDOT urges motorists to exercise caution while being alert for trucks entering and leaving the work site.

“We do not want any surprises for motorists traveling through this area,” MoDOT Resident Engineer Brian Holt said. “Traffic on some county roads will be affected, but we do not expect many delays for the majority of motorists.”

MoDOT has two additional Highway 412 projects scheduled for this year. The remaining 2000 projects include the bridges over the Burlington Northern Railroad and a two-mile grading and bridge project to connect the first project to the Hayti bypass.

####