November 4, 2013

Newport Independent

The Arkansas State Highway Commission approved a bid for improvements to a roadway in Jackson County, according to Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) officials.

The purpose of the project is to reconstruct one mile of Highway 367 and construct a new White River Bridge at Newport. Work on Highway 367 will begin at the curve, just north of the bridge. It will extend to Third Street. Bridge construction will be performed adjacent to the existing bridge.

Tanner Construction Co., Inc. of Ellisville, Mississippi was awarded the contract at $31,361,489.76.

The bridge that is being replaced was built in 1930. It is 2,831 feet long with a maximum span 400 feet. The city of Newport will take ownership of that bridge to preserve it. Hot Springs engineer Ira G. Hedrick designed the original Newport bridge, along with the old spans in Clarendon and Augusta.

Construction is scheduled to begin in two to four weeks, weather permitting. The project should be complete by early 2017.

Additional travel information can be found at ArkansasHighways.com. You can also follow us on Twitter @AHTD.