PHILLIPS COUNTY, AR — The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has received a $43.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Bridge Investment Program for rehabilitation of the U.S. Highway 49 Mississippi River Bridge between Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, and Lula, Mississippi.
This project is a collaborative effort between ARDOT, the lead grant applicant, and the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), a co-applicant, for the rehabilitation of the Helena Bridge.
The Helena Bridge is a critical Mississippi River crossing of local, national, and international importance. This Mississippi River crossing is nearly 1 mile long and is currently rated as being in “poor” condition.
The Helena Bridge Rehabilitation Project includes structural and general repairs to bring the bridge into a state of good repair. The project also will increase the load rating of the bridge and give it a service life of 20 to 25 years. That extended service life would allow ARDOT and MDOT to monitor existing regional transportation needs and plan for future capacity needs, paving the way for a new Mississippi River crossing that would respond to the unique conditions of the New Madrid Seismic Zone.
A letter of support for the grant application was signed by Senator John Boozman, Senator Tom Cotton, and Congressman Rick Crawford.
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“The Helena Bridge on U.S. Highway 49 crosses the Mississippi River and is a critical piece of our nation’s infrastructure,” Crawford said. “The bridge connects the eastern part of Arkansas to Mississippi, where U.S. 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.”
“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. Thank you to the USDOT for recognizing the significance of this project and choosing to invest in this critical link between Arkansas and Mississippi.”
“The Helena Bridge serves as an important transportation link between Mississippi and Arkansas,” MDOT Executive Director Brad White said. "We're appreciative of USDOT for this grant award and for our partnership with ARDOT on the project. This wise investment will drive economic growth in the area and increase safety for decades to come."
The project’s total estimated cost is $56.6 million. After applying the grant funding, ARDOT and MDOT will split the remaining cost evenly.
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With the grant funding secured, next steps include working on project design and construction plans.
