New bridge opens at Big Spring

VAN BUREN - Ozark National Scenic Riverways has announced the new Big Spring Bridge on State Route 103 is now open for use.

Construction began in August 2018, replacing the previous bridge, which dated back to 1977, according to a National Park Service press release.

The new bridge is concrete with a single support pier in the spring branch, making it more sustainable and less likely to catch debris in an area prone to floods, the NPS reports. The construction project allowed for utility lines that were located on the previous bridge to be moved underground so that they are less vulnerable to floods or environmental impacts. Built to freeway standards, with a new parking lot and sidewalk/viewing platform that meet accessibility standards of the Architectural Barriers Act, the bridge is expected to have a 75-year design life.

The new design fits aesthetically into the significant historic and cultural landscape of the Big Spring area, which includes a number of buildings and landscape features constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, the NPS says. The wooden handrails and native stone complement the timber and stone construction by the CCC throughout the Big Spring area.

This project was managed by the Federal Highway Administration and completed by Robertson Contractors, Inc. from Poplar Bluff, Missouri.