ARDOT Bridges Available for Donation
The Arkansas Department of Transportation is planning to replace two bridges located on US Highway 278 in Howard County, including the Cossatot River Bridge and Baker Creek Bridge. These bridges were determined eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer’s staff in 2018. Both bridges will soon be replaced, however the structures are available for donation by the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act states: “Any State which proposes to demolish a historic bridge for a replacement project … shall first make the bridge available for donation to a State, locality, or responsible private entity…” As part of the mitigation process, the ARDOT is offering to donate Bridge Numbers 05686 and/or 05687 to any government or entity that demonstrates a willingness to accept title for, maintain in place, preserve the historic features of, and assume the financial responsibility for the continued maintenance on the structure(s). The ARDOT, through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), can reimburse costs associated with preservation up to the demolition estimate expense for bridges preserved in place. The demolition estimated reimbursement will be determined by the FHWA, not to exceed 100% of the costs of demolition of the bridge(s), which will be based on the estimate of the ARDOT. The 2019 demolition estimate for Bridge Number 05686 is $300,000 and for Bridge Number 05687 is $60,000. The costs associated with preservation could include rehabilitation of the bridge or minor modifications for recreational use.
The Cossatot River bridge is constructed with a steel girder design that has a pin and hanger connection system resting on hammerhead piers with round concrete columns, and steel posts and railing edge the roadway. It measures 950 feet long and 21 feet wide.
The bridge over Baker Creek consists of three continuous steel girder spans resting on concrete circular shaft column bents, and includes steel posts and railing edging the roadway. The bridge measures 186 feet long and 21 feet wide.
Anyone interested should contact Nikki Senn at 501-569-2979.
