Design and analysis
30 Jul 15
Replacement of Arkansas River Bridge moves forward
Plans to replace the Arkansas River Bridge as part of an upgrade of the Interstate 30 highway can now move forward following US federal acceptance of the project’s environmental study.
Arkansas State Highway & Transportation Department (AHTD) officials have received a letter this month from the Federal Highway Administration acknowledging completion of the I-30 planning and environmental linkages (PEL) study.
The I-30 project will be branded the ‘30 Crossing’ project going forward. The logo and name reference improvements to the I-30 Arkansas River Bridge - which will be replaced as a major component of the project - as well as the opportunity to connect businesses and communities.
The PEL study area covered the I-30 between I-40 and I-530, including the Arkansas River Bridge, as well as a section of the I-40. “The study took a first look at I-30’s system capacity, safety and deficiencies within the study area,” said Ben Browning, AHTD project director for the scheme. The alternative being carried forward includes five lanes in each direction.
The project’s preliminary schedule has the environmental and schematic phase completing in mid-2016, the design-build team beginning work in early 2017 and construction beginning in 2018.
