Notice to Media

St. Francis River Bridge Project Bids Scheduled to be Opened on Friday

LITTLE ROCK (7-19) – Bids for construction of the Highway 412 St. Francis River Bridge will be opened Friday, July 20, by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) in Jefferson City, according to Arkansas State Highway and Transportation (AHTD) Commission Vice Chairman J.W. "Buddy" Benafield of Hickory Plains.

“This project is indispensable to northeast Arkansas,”said Benafield. “The bridge is the focal point of planned improvements along the Highway 412 corridor in both Missouri and Arkansas.”

MoDOT is leading the multi-state project for work on a new bridge spanning the St. Francis River. Relocation, design, right-of-way and other preparation work has been achieved over the past year. Officials estimate the bridge construction to be completed in 2003.

AHTD is planning to widen Highway 412 west from Paragould to the Highway 141 intersection. Improvements for two bridges between Paragould and the River are also planned.

“AHTD is committed to providing the necessary funds to see this project to fruition,” added Benafield. “Highway 412 is a vital link for northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri.”

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