LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV and Arkansas Business) - The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department says that after 90 years, it's time for a new Broadway Bridge. They say it will be cheaper to replace the bridge that links Little Rock to North Little Rock across the Arkansas River, than it would be to repair it.
If replacing the Broadway Bridge were the subject of a Hallmark movie, the True Meaning of Christmas would be revealed through the gift of millions of dollars to make the new river crossing the "iconic" structure civic boosters want it to be.
But it's December 2011 in Arkansas, and neither a public groundswell of support has emerged nor cash-flush corporate elves have appeared. And though Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines does resemble Santa, even he wants people to think through the costs of making the bridge stand out.
"Not to lower their expectations," Villines said, but to find cheaper ways to enhance the replacement of the span across the Arkansas River that opened in 1923 - with great fanfare, including a parade - at a cost of $971,000.
The state Highway & Transportation Department's "very preliminary planning estimate" to replace a structure of Broadway Bridge dimensions is $45 million, spokesman Randy Ort said.
"Obviously, the estimate is going to be based on the final design," Ort said. "And it could very well be more than that or that may end up being a pretty good beginning estimate. We just don't know."
For more on this, Arkansas Business publisher Jeff Hankins joins us on "Today's THV at 6:00."