Restored bridge reconnects community and anchors Southwest Trail vision
BENTON, Ark. (June 24, 2025) – After more than five decades of waiting, the historic Old River Bridge in Saline County officially reopened Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that brought together elected officials, engineers, community leaders, and citizens eager to walk across a restored piece of Arkansas history.
Originally constructed in 1889 by the Youngstown Bridge Company of Ohio, the iron truss bridge once carried Military Road traffic over the Saline River, serving settlers, traders, and travelers as part of the Southwest Trail—an early transportation route through Arkansas. Closed to vehicular traffic in 1974 due to structural deterioration, the bridge had long been a symbol of loss and longing for residents who grew up with its silhouette etched into the local landscape.
On Tuesday morning, that image became tangible once again.
“People have waited over 50 years for this day,” said Saline County Judge Matt Brumley, who led the ceremony at Saline Crossing Park. “This isn’t just a bridge—it’s a connection from our past to our future.”
A Bridge Restored
The restoration was a massive undertaking involving years of planning, federal and state grants, and painstaking preservation work. Mobley Contractors began work in 2018 by removing the bridge’s truss spans and transporting them to Michigan for detailed restoration by historic bridge specialists.
Brad Deaver, vice president of Mobley Contractors, described the scope of the project. “We removed and cataloged 288 individual steel components, which were measured, tested, rehabilitated or replaced, and then returned to Arkansas,” Deaver said. “In all, we installed over 80,000 pounds of new structural steel, 296 white oak timbers, and more than 2,000 hardware connections—all completed ahead of schedule and under budget.”
Funding came from multiple sources, including over $2.2 million from the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), $1.3 million from Metroplan, and $1 million through the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The project ultimately secured more than $5 million in public investment.
ARDOT Director Gerald Wallen praised Saline County’s leadership, noting that “this was one of the most ambitious and innovative community-led projects we’ve seen.”
Grassroots Vision, Regional Impact
The bridge restoration was sparked years ago by the grassroots efforts of the Saline Crossing Regional Park Group, founded by the late Benton Mayor Rick Holland and longtime city leader Frank Moore. At Tuesday’s ceremony, Moore’s son, Brad Moore, credited that community effort with making the day possible.
“This is what happens when passionate citizens partner with forward-thinking government leaders,” Moore said. “Many said this couldn’t be done—but look at us now.”
The restored bridge is more than a historical landmark; it serves as a key connector for the future 65-mile Southwest Trail, a planned multi-use path linking Hot Springs to Little Rock. Judge Brumley called it “a mile marker, not the destination,” as cities and counties along the route continue trail development efforts.
“We’re building something that will draw visitors from across the state and country,” Brumley said. “This bridge will be a place where people come to reflect, to recreate, and to connect.”
A Community Celebration
The ceremony brought out members of Saline County’s Quorum Court, mayors from Benton and Shannon Hills, state legislators, and representatives from Arkansas’s federal delegation. Former county judges Lanny Fite and Jeff Arey were also honored for their roles in securing early grants and advancing the bridge’s integration into the Southwest Trail system.
Perhaps the most touching moment came at the end of the event, when Brumley shared a call he’d received from a local man named Mr. Barry, who had held on to a cast-iron bridge plaque he discovered more than 50 years ago.
“He told me, ‘I think it’s time I give this back,’” Brumley said, holding up the rusted cap reading Built by the Youngstown Bridge Co., 1890. “It’s a piece of history returning home.”
The crowd then walked across the newly reopened structure—Arkansas’s oldest iron bridge still in its original location—marking a new chapter for a bridge that once seemed lost.
For more information on recent developments with the Southwest Trail, visit these articles:
- Southwest Trail Breaks Ground in Saline County
- Pulaski County Opens First Phase of the Southwest Trail
- Arkansas Week Panel Explores Trail Development and Outdoor Transformation in Central Arkansas
If you would like to listen to all of the speeches, the ceremony is available on the YouTube video below.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
