LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Officials with the Arkansas Department of Transportation announced Friday that they have received a $43.9 million grant for rehabilitation of the U.S. Highway 49 Mississippi River Bridge between Arkansas and Mississippi.
The grant was received from the United States Department of Transportation and is part of a collaborative effort between ARDOT and the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
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“This grant award is the result of partnership and collaboration between Arkansas, Mississippi, and other regional stakeholders,” ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor said. “It’s critical that we care for our existing infrastructure, make the necessary upgrades, and ultimately extend the lifespan of a road or bridge, when possible, to the benefit of the traveling public.”
A letter of support for the grant application was signed by Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, as well as congressman Rick Crawford.
“The Helena Bridge on U.S. Highway 49 crosses the Mississippi River and is a critical piece of our nation’s infrastructure,” Congressman Rick Crawford said. “The bridge connects the eastern part of Arkansas to Mississippi, where US-49 ultimately ends near the Port of Gulfport. Without the Helena Bridge, producers and shippers would have to find alternative ways to move agriculture and other manufactured goods between these states and to and from the port. This investment will allow for structural repairs and will establish a monitoring system to prevent it from becoming unusable in the future.”
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The project’s total estimated cost is $56.6 million. After applying the grant funding, ARDOT and MDOT will split the remaining cost evenly.