Arkansas Business

The historic Rock Island bridge at the Clinton Presidential Library is slated to get $2.5 million of federal stimulus money from Arkansas's share of the funds, according to an article in on Wednesday.

Most of the stimulus cash going to states is designated for particular needs, but about $8.8 billion distributed through the Government Services Fund is for governors to use as they see fit, the article by Louise Radnofsky said.

Planned work on the bridge, which spans the Arkansas River between North Little Rock and the library in Little Rock has been stalled for seven years because its cost  shot up to $10.5 million and uncertainty about who would foot the bill.

The William J. Clinton Foundation announced earlier this month that with the stimulus money and donations of materials, it now can cover $8.5 million of the project and is "making significant progress" in securing the remaining $2 million.

After Congress authorized the $787 billion stimulus package in February, representatives of the Clinton Foundation contacted Gov. Mike Beebe's office, to suggest the bridge project receive funds from Arkansas's share, the article said.

"We have committed to securing and identifying the remaining funds" from other public or private sources, Clinton foundation spokesman Jordan Johnson said. He said the project will bolster tourism and economic development in central Arkansas.