VAN BUREN, Ark. — The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) said resurfacing work on the Midland Bridge between Van Buren and Fort Smith is set to resume again as soon as next week.
In July, ARDOT said the project was stopped after contractors found cracks in the back wall of the bridge.
Parker said the construction was halted to rework contracts and negotiate pricing with the group doing the resurfacing project to account for the added project of fixing the cracks.
"They felt like, you know what, we're resurfacing it, we're going to those extremes, we need to shore up those areas along the back wall of the bridge," Parker said. "So there's some paperwork that has to be done … language of that new change order had to be approved by us, by them."
Parker said there is no structural damage caused by the cracks and fixing it is more cosmetic. He added that there is no danger to the public regarding the bridge collapsing.
Since July, members of the community said they have been confused as to why work was stalled on the project, which was originally expected to only take four months.
Donna Strite is the owner of Momo and Papa’s Furniture and Decor in Van Buren. Her shop is located right next to the bridge right off Broadway.
Strite said most days, traffic is backed up heavily on Broadway for almost a mile both ways. She said she often takes detours around the street to avoid the traffic.
Despite construction being at a standstill for the past few months, one lane is still closed both ways on the bridge.
As construction is set to resume again on the bridge, Parker said one lane on either side of the road will be open to allow for traffic to flow through.
He said he expects the project to be completed by spring 2025.
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