DECATUR -- After nearly four years of surveying, planning, moving utilities and even relocating a footbridge, work finally began on the new Decatur Branch bridge project on south Arkansas Highway 59 in Decatur on June 20.
The new Decatur Branch structure will eventually replace the existing bridge which has been deteriorating due to increasing traffic loads along the Arkansas 59 corridor over the past 20 years. With more and more heavy truck traffic from the poultry and manufacturing facilities transversing the 59 corridor, it was inevitable the bridge would need to be replaced.
Three years ago, the cable, gas, water and sewer lines were relocated away from the new structure. Two years ago the footbridge located next to the Decatur Branch bridge was relocated to Veterans Park, where it is in use as part of the walking trail.
Currently, a contractor is removing the old underground pipes and concrete supports for the old footbridge. In addition to the work around the bridge, road crews are preparing land for the temporary bridge, similar to the one in use over Wolf Creek near Crystal Lake.
Over the coming months, crews will be working around the Decatur Branch bridge, preparing the temporary bypass and removing and constructing a new structure. Motorists should use caution when driving through this area and should expect delays as work proceeds through the remainder of 2022 and into 2023.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Old water and sewer lines are exposed as work begins to remove all pipes and concrete along the west side of the Decatur Branch bridge on June 24. These lines were replaced three years ago and are being removed to make way for a new, wider bridge over the creek.