Parsons wins bridge deal in Arkansas

Parsons is heading the project to build the I-40 White River Bridge and approaches in the US state of Arkansas. The contract is to build a 1.92km bridge for the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department and Parsons is leading the joint venture that also includes CJ Mahan construction. The new bridge will be constructed some 61m upstream from the existing structure. The existing White River Bridge has four 3.66m-wide lanes and 61m of vertical clearance between piers for commercial navigation
January 17, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
3220 Parsons is heading the project to build the I-40 White River Bridge and approaches in the US state of Arkansas. The contract is to build a 1.92km bridge for the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department and Parsons is leading the joint venture that also includes CJ Mahan construction.  The new bridge will be constructed some 61m upstream from the existing structure.  

The existing White River Bridge has four 3.66m-wide lanes and 61m of vertical clearance between piers for commercial navigation vessels. The new bridge will have 18 spans comprising six lanes and will provide 98m of horizontal clearance between the two main river piers and 15.8m of clearance above the White River. It will feature drilled shaft foundations instead of pile foundations as this will reduce costs as well as the time needed for construction. In addition, construction of the new link will include demolition of the old bridge, earthwork, traffic maintenance, and erosion control.

I-40 is an east-west interstate highway connecting Oklahoma and Tennessee with the majority of the route in Arkansas. Construction of the new White River Bridge and its approach roads is scheduled to begin in March 2017 and is expected to be complete in summer 2019. Once the new bridge is in operation its additional lanes will boost capacity will help improve journey times as well as safety for drivers in the area.
Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Pūhoi-to-Warkworth motorway project
    September 25, 2020
    After a hiatus because of the COVID-19 lockdown, work has restarted on what will be one of New Zealand’s most visually impressive motorways. Andrew Thackwray, senior manager for project delivery for Waka Kotahi, the New Zealand Transport Agency, explains
    Read More
  • US$1.7 billion Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement design
    February 6, 2025
    The design of the US$1.7 billion Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement is revealed.
    Read More
  • Kosovo's award-winning green highway construction
    March 20, 2012
    A new highway is proving an economic lifeline for the tiny country of Kosovo – Mike Woof reports. Road projects in Europe rarely meet such widespread public approval and support as the new Route 7 highway being built in the new Balkan state of Kosovo. The first sections of the new road opened to traffic in November 2011, with locals turning out in large numbers to celebrate the event. The official opening was carried out by the country’s prime minister Hashim Thaçi, president Atifete Jahjaga, and members of
    Read More
  • East End Crossing Project—Availability payment P3 in action
    July 14, 2017
    Indiana exercised its authority to use a P3 contract when it partnered with Kentucky for new bridges across the Ohio River. Barney Allison and John Smolen* explain the groundbreaking availability payment deal. Earlier this year, traffic began rolling over the new tolled Lewis and Clark Bridge spanning the Ohio River from northern Kentucky to southern Indiana. The cable-stayed bridge is part of the award-winning Ohio Bridges Project to untangle traffic within the greater metropolitan area of Louisville, Kent
    Read More

Highlighted Content