Public Invited to Weigh In on Replacement of Historic Spring River Bridge in Imboden

IMBODEN, Ark. — The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is inviting public input on a proposal to replace the historic U.S. 62 bridge over the Spring River in Imboden. The bridge, built in 1937 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, connects Lawrence and Randolph counties and serves as a key crossing over the river and the BNSF railroad.

An open house is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Imboden First Assembly of God, located at 5569 Highway 63. Residents can attend at any point during the two-hour window to view displays, ask questions, and provide feedback on the project.

The proposal, identified as ARDOT Job 101119, includes plans for the replacement of the Spring River bridge and its approaches. Project details will also be available online starting Friday, Oct. 9, at ardot.gov/publicmeetings. Public feedback will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, through a comment form available for download and submission.

In a letter dated Sept. 22 to Imboden Mayor Chris Jones, ARDOT announced the meeting and outlined the timeline for the initiative. According to the Arkansas Highway Commission’s fourth-quarter report for state fiscal 2026, the bridge replacement is tentatively scheduled for 2029, with the estimated cost ranging between $20 million and $30 million. The agency notes that cost estimates may evolve alongside design progress.

The meeting notice does not specify a construction start date, completion date, or plans for managing traffic during the project. The bridge, sometimes referred to as the Imboden Overpass or St. Louis-San Francisco Overpass, features truss elements both above and below the roadway. ARDOT has highlighted its significance as an example of 1930s state highway bridge design, constructed under a federal program aimed at improving railroad crossing safety.

Historic records held by the Library of Congress document the bridge’s design in 1936 by the Arkansas State Highway Department and its construction in 1937 by contractor C.F. Lytle of Sioux City, Iowa. The structure earned a place on the National Register in 1990 due to its engineering and historical importance.

For additional information about the meeting or the project, residents may contact Matt Strawn, ARDOT’s head of public involvement, at 501-569-2379 or by email at environmentalpimeetings@ardot.gov.