South Hughes Street Bridge in Little Rock to Reopen Three Weeks Early
Information Release
Arkansas Department of Transportation
NR 18-290
September 28, 2018
PULASKI COUNTY (9-28) – After more than two months of construction, the new South Hughes Street Bridge over Interstate 630 in Little Rock will open to traffic three weeks ahead of schedule, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials.
Weather permitting, the bridge will open Monday, October 1, reconnecting the Briarwood and University Park neighborhoods. Crews closed the bridge July 20 to demolish the structure and reconstruct it with a wider span as part of the I-630 construction job that is adding additional eastbound and westbound lanes between the Big Rock Interchange and University Avenue.
Construction contractor Manhattan Road & Bridge estimated that it would take 96 days to replace the bridge, resulting in a late October completion. However, crews worked hard to reopen the bridge 23 days early, and Manhattan Road & Bridge will receive an early completion incentive of approximately $76,000.
I-630 Widening Update
The project is transitioning into Stage Two, moving traffic from the I-630 eastbound and westbound outside lanes to the inside lanes, to continue with construction of retaining walls, bridge widening and pavement widening. Temporary barriers will be installed throughout the main lanes of traffic to protect the outside lane work areas.
Traffic will also be traveling on temporary detoured pavement on exit ramps 5, 6, 7 and 8 (University Avenue, Rodney Parham Road, John Barrow Road, and Baptist Health Drive) to allow construction of permanent exit ramp pavements and associated work.
During daytime travel peak hours, all six lanes on I-630 will be open to traffic. Periodically during overnight hours and on Saturdays, eastbound and westbound lanes will be reduced to one open lane in each direction for the ongoing construction.
Motorist Assistance Patrol
ARDOT has been receiving positive comments regarding the project's motorist assistance patrol and on-call wrecker service. During lane-closure periods, the patrol travels the eastbound and westbound lanes within the construction zone to provide assistance to stalled or stopped motorists.
This service has included providing motorists with fuel when tanks are empty or by helping change flat tires, working to move vehicles out of the way of traffic, and assisting law enforcement in the event of an accident. A wrecker service is also on call to help clear and move vehicles from the Interstate. To date, the services have assisted more than 100 motorists.
Construction Newsletter
I-630 construction updates are regularly posted on the project webpage at ConnectingArkansasProgram.com. In addition, the public can request to receive a monthly construction e-newsletter that provides progress information, an overview of active detours and lane closures, and schedule information. Those interested in receiving this email may send a request to Info@ConnectingArkansasProgram.com.
This project is part of ARDOT's Connecting Arkansas Program, which is funded through a 10-year, half-cent sales tax. I-630 is being widened to four lanes in each direction (eight total) for 2.2 miles between the Big Rock Interchange and University Avenue. The widening is estimated to be complete in early 2020. More information on this $87.4 million project is available at ConnectingArkansasProgram.com.
Drivers should exercise caution when approaching and traveling through all highway work zones. Additional travel information can be found at IDriveArkansas.com or ARDOT.gov. You can also follow us on Twitter @myARDOT.
