Jacksonville, Arkansas is getting ready to demolish the James Street Bridge over U.S. 67/167, which is expected to last a year.
The James Street Bridge and southbound Exit 10A will close on Oct. 23, with detours posted to keep motorists away from construction.
The new bridge is a part of a $145.2 million project that aims to widen 2.5 miles of U.S. 67/167 to six lanes between Main Street and Vandenberg Boulevard, according to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT). In addition to widening the highway, improvements at the interchanges of James and Gregory streets and Vandenburg Boulevard, as well improvements to the highway's frontage roads, will also be done according to officials.
Jacksonville Mayor Jeff Elmore said the bridge closure will have an impact on city residents and those who rely on the four-lane road for their regular commutes.
"It will cause a delay if you're trying to get [from] one side of town to the other," Elmore said. "You're going to have to detour through areas you would not ordinarily go."
He added that the construction was necessary not only to accommodate a soon-to-be wider highway, but because the James Street bridge "was an old bridge that definitely needed repair."
According to ARDOT, the bridge and exit will remain closed for 12 months.
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Source: ArkansasOnline.com
