old landmark makes way for new

[jimmoore]

This is a pic of the new and the old bridge over the White river at Augusta on HWY U.S.64. The old bridge was built in 1929. It was a toll bridge when it opened.The new bridge will be open for traffic August the 2nd. The steel will be salvaged from the old bridge and the concrete busted up and used for rip-rap on the riverbank to fill in washouts. I grew up with the old bridge. Rode the school bus over it twice a day for many years. I am going to miss seeing the steel girders go flying by the windshield as you drove across.

jim

 

[jinman]

Really cool old bridge, Jim. I can sure understand how it tugs at the heartstrings. I used to drive by the old three-room country school where I went to elementary school. One day I drove by and it was gone. I really felt terrible. Maybe you could take a movie while you drive over it.

JimI

 

[jimmoore]

The old bridge is a narrow 2 lane and due to the huge amount of 16 foot modular homes and wide farm equipment, a flagman would have to cross the bridge and stop all the traffic and clear the bridge before they could cross. The new bridge uis super wide but it will only be striped for 2 lanes that way wide loads can go right on across. It is built high to clear the tug boats and barge traffic, as a lot of grain is shipped down the river to greenesville Ms.

jim

 

[gordon]

Now I've figured it out... This is why Glenn is looking into getting a truck. To get parts from the old bridge./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Gordon

 

[jimmoore]

Glenn could sure get some heavy duty scrap iron for all his projects!

jim

 

[glennmac]

Unfortunately, I'm much better at getting ideas for projects than actually doing them. /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif Hmmm, I wonder if my wife would accept hauling away a Texas bridge as justification for a truck and trailer? /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

 

[jimmoore]

Glenn, correction="arkansas bridge". Hey, I think I saw a post by you about needing some type of bridge. Maybe you could use the whole center span as is??

jim

 

[Duckhunter]

I have been across that old bridge many times going Duck Hunting with my dad years ago. Brings back great memories. Thanks! Looks like the one over the White at Clarendon on 79.

 

[jimmoore]

Ken, welcome to Tractorbynet. The AHTD has already started tearing down the old bridge. They have a Bobcat skidsteer with a jackhammer mounted on a boom sticking out in front and boy can it ever bust up that old concrete. Where in central AR are you located and what PD do you work for?

jim

 

[jimmoore]

The AHTD dynamited the East aproach to the bridge yesterday.

jim