Options sought for replacement of historic Arkansas bridge

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas officials are seeking comments from the public as they begin to craft plans to replace the historic War Eagle Bridge.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/1CUnok5 ) that the bridge in Benton County must be replaced after it was flagged by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department for serious structural deficiencies.

Benton County Judge Bob Clinard says studying the site, doing engineering work and developing a design for a new bridge will be part of a process expected to take at least three years.

Clinard says the county will try to obtain state and federal money for the project. A public meeting could be set for mid-February.

Built by the Illinois Steel Bridge Company in 1907, the War Eagle Bridge is significant as one of six Parker through trusses in Arkansas.

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Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, http://www.arkansasonline.com