UPDATE:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers postponed the previous Big Dam Bridge closure and inspection because of mechanical issues. The equipment has been repaired and the closure rescheduled.
The Big Dam Bridge, across Murray Lock and Dam, will now be closed to all traffic from 7:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 – Friday, April 19 for a routine bridge inspection. Security gates at each of the bridge approaches will be closed and locked during the inspections. Officials at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regret any inconvenience this may cause and ask for the public’s cooperation until the work is complete. The closure is being coordinated with emergency services and law enforcement agencies.
Recreation information can be found on the Internet at www.swl.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/littlerockusace, and on X (Twitter) at www.twitter.com/usacelittlerock.
If you use the Big Dam Bridge for commuting (active transportation) you’ll need to time your use of the bridge before 7:00 a.m. and/or after 5:30 p.m. during the third week of April. The nearest bike/pedestrian crossing of the Arkansas River is the Broadway Bridge approximately 6 miles downriver via the Arkansas River Trail on the Little Rock side and 7 miles downriver on the North Little Rock side of the river. According to the USACE media release, the bridge will be open to bike/pedestrian use overnight from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
During the inspection, security gates at each of the bridge approaches will be closed and locked to prevent access to the bridge. This is an essential safety measure to ensure no harm comes to any individual or vehicle during the inspection process.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says they understand that this closure may cause some inconvenience to the public, and they apologize for any disruption this may cause. They request the public’s cooperation and patience until the inspection work is complete and the bridge is deemed safe for regular use.
The closure has been coordinated with emergency services and law enforcement agencies to ensure they are aware of the situation and can take the necessary measures to minimize any potential disruption to public safety.
