The Arkansas State Highway & Transportation Department announced on Thursday that the Broadway Bridge will close on Sept. 28 for at least six months as contractor Massman Construction Co. of Kansas City, Missouri, installs the new $98.4 million bridge.
The closure will extend from Highway 70 and West Broadway Street in North Little Rock to the intersection with West Markham Street in Little Rock.
The Highway Department also said the contractor would earn an incentive of $80,000 per day if the new bridge opens earlier than the planned six months, and lose that much per day if the project is delayed.
A map of prescribed alternate routes is available here. Although several alternate routes exist, officials suggest drivers take the Highway 5/Main Street bridge across the river.
The existing bridge was supposed to close in May, but flooding and steel pieces not arriving when expected pushed that date back.
Once the birdge is closed, demolition of the existing structure will be accomplished in at least three stages and with cutting charges, the Highway Department said. Dates for the “blasting” will be forthcoming.