-- Historic American Engineering Record
My father's company, Hardy Construction Co., rebuilt this bridge in the in the mid 2000's. My father, Robert A. Hardy, was the low bidder on this job a few times, but the Arkansas highway department, never wanted to award the job, because of the cost. I think the state thought is was going to be a better investment to demolish it, rather than repair it the proper way.
He had a contentious relationship over the decades with the highway department and he felt he was the only bridge contractor in the state of Arkansas that could do the job and do it right. He told me that the highway department wanted to pay, "Some cheap, jack-legged, *#$! %#@&!*, to do the job."
My father had a file full of photographs he took of this bridge during the rebuilding process. I think he felt it was the crowning achievement of a construction career in Arkansas that lasted over fifty years.
Thank you for the kind words, Gentlemen! It helps having something so beautiful to take a picture of!
That would be the Cotter Railroad Bridge
Amazing bridge!
In the Streetview, I see there is a railroad swing bridge just north of this bridge; the swing span indicates that the White River was navigable at one point. This view points up one of the problems with trying to maintain navigation on a shallow river with a shifting channel - the swing span is currently located over a mid-channel island!
Indeed it is Mr. Vance! I have been impressed with many of Lisa's photos.
I think even Conde B. McCullough would have been impressed with this beautiful span!
The latest picture (#20) is beautiful.
Blueprints for this bridge are online at http://www.arkansashighways.com/historic_bridge/State%20High...
Visited this bridge at 4:40 pm on 2 March 2007. Good photos can be taken from both downstream sides. The west bank has a dead end road that loops under the bridge and past several residences. The east bank has a large parking area with boat ramps, pavilion and picnic sites. Good overall pictures from a distance can also be taken at the overlook on Hwy 62. An old gutted restaurant-like building sits right at the west abuttment. The railroad bridge can be photographed best from the overlook and from the east bank park. Bridge looks to be fairly clean & tidy.
Webmaster's note: The photos that were here have been incorporated into the main site.
http://www.cotterar.com/cotterbridgebrochure-marsh.htm
Shows some photos of the bridge under construction.
Mr Hardy, if you are willing to share, I'd love to see some of your father's photos.