ACTION NEEDED!
Help Identify Bridges in Need of Repair/Replacement
The Arkansas Department of Transportation’s 2024-2033 Draft Program of Bridge and Pavement Improvement Projects identifies more than 1,100 bridges in need of repair in the state. These bridges are identified by county with an estimated cost of repair over the next 10 years with a stated goal of repairing or replacing every structurally deficient and posted bridge in Arkansas.
During a recent meeting between the Arkansas Forestry Association, Arkansas Timber Producers Association and ARDOT, the agency expressed a willingness to add additional bridges to the list as identified by the timber and forest products sector. AFA and ATPA are asking for your help in identifying bridges in your area that you believe are in need of repair or replacement. If the bridge has already been identified, great. If not, we will ask ARDOT to add it to the list. ARDOT also shared information about the Local Bridge Program, Local Bridge Program – Arkansas Department of Transportation (ardot.gov), which provides funding to local public agencies for improvements to bridges that are on public roads that are not on the Federal-aid-Highway System, known as Off-System bridges.
It is possible that AFA and ATPA could help facilitate discussions with these agencies to bring attention to this opportunity. You can also find Arkansas Bridge Information at this link Arkansas Bridge Information – Arkansas Department of Transportation (ardot.gov).
Please be as specific as possible in identifying the location of the bridge by:
- providing the state road or highway and county where the bridge is located,
- indicate whether the bridge is in a low, moderate or high traffic area, and
- indicate the level of urgency/priority you believe should be place on the bridge to ensure the efficient and safe flow of timber and forest products.