Engineers to Study Judsonia Bridge

It looks as if it's useful days have passed by. Even the graffiti is fading into the red rust.

The Highway Department says a crack in the main beam makes the Judsonia Bridge unsafe for heavy traffic, and ever since it's been padlocked closed. But that doesn't lock out the memories.

Cheryl Allsup grew up in Judsonia and has fond memories of the bridge and her childhood, including a boyfriend who once climbed the riveted beams to the top on a dare

Allsup says, "I met up with the guy who climbed the rails last week and I haven't seen him in thirty years. And we got to talking about this old bridge and when I came over here to the cemetery I decided to come down and take a look."

Authorities say they'd like the bridge back in service as soon as possible. Right now firefighters from Judsonia have to rely on Kensett firefighters to fight anything on the other side of the bridge until they can travel the 22 miles around.

A big problem though is the historical significance. The bridge is a nationally registered landmark. And that means any changes or repairs must first be approved by the historical society.

"It was fixed. They opened it back up for like two months then all of the sudden they found another crack in it," says Mike King.

King is one of a few still allowed to use the bridge.

King and employees at the Little Red River Fish Farm have keys to the gates. But they would rather see the structure repaired.

King says, "Because there's more traffic on this road than people think. But I don't know if they'll ever open it back up or not."

One possible solution is to build structures at each footing that would only allow cars and small trucks to pass.

Replacing the damaged beam would cost money the county does not have at present.

Engineers from Garver LLC here in Little Rock will look at the bridge.

They helped assess repairs for the historic War Eagle Bridge in Benton County.