Wallace Bridge

This is an awesome bridge, but scary! I visited it on 06/11/2011. It was not until I drove across it that I realized how high it was over the water. The boards had been replaced, but as I drove across in my car, the boards were bouncing up at the edges. Some of the nails were sticking up out of the wood by 2-3 inches in some places. It was nerve wrecking, but so worth the experience. The location reminds me of a bayou. Beautiful!

As of Wednesday, October 13, 2010, Wallace Bridge is now back open and in service.

Visited the Wallace Bridge on 25 Sept and can say that the bridge is just days away from being opened for traffic. I'm attaching 3 images that show the Standpipes at each side of both approaches, and the signage from Hwy 60. Rock pile has been removed from the north approach which was totally rebuilt. Approach guardrails still need to be installed, but it is basically good to go. Did notice a few new bolts around the anchor pads on the top of the columns.

Webmaster's note: The photos that were here have been incorporated into the main site.

Visited this bridge on 26 July 2010 at 5:15 pm. The bridge is still closed but can be walked across. New deck boards have been installed where truck broke through. The south approach has been totally rebuilt with an added concrete abutment that is not original to the bridge. New pins have been installed on both sides of damaged area and the lower I-beam has been repaired (it was badly distorted in accident) or replaced. There is still a rock/dirt pile on the north approach. The weight limits on the signs have been zeroed out. Handrails on both approaches are not installed. Several planks on the non-damaged north end decking are in marginal condition. I would guestimate that reopening might be in 60 days since most of the major work has been completed. Attaching 3 photos that will give a good visual of repairs.

Webmaster's note: The photos that were here have been incorporated into the main site.

According to this article, the bridge was repaired in May 2010

http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2010/may/13/news-brief-20100513-0-0-0/

I will definitely have to visit this bridge next time I happen to be traveling in Arkansas. Thanks to all those involved for repairing this bridge and keeping it in use, rather than putting in yet another UCEB.

The dog on the bridge is world famous SKETTER THE WONDER DOG,he lives near the bridge..

The good news is, Arkansas is known to be one of the better states when it comes to keeping and restoring older bridges. That's not to say this one will be, but it stands a better chance then other destroyed bridges in other places.

WHAT A MORON!!!!!!!! I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO COMING BACK THERE FOR THE 100TH YEAR BIRTHDAY OF WALLACE BRIDGE FUN. I KNOW YOU ARKANSAS PEOPLE WILL FIX IT. I HAVE TOLD ALL THESE PEOPLE OUT HERE (CALIFORNIA) ABOUT THIS SIGHT AND WHAT A GREAT TIME I HAD. YES, US CITY BOYS LIKE THAT STUFF ALSO. IF WORSE COMES TO WORSE, I'LL BE OUT THERE WORKING ALONG SIDE ALL OF YOU TO FIX IT. WE CAN PUT A BIG SIGN UP THAT SAYS "JERKS AND MORONS THAT CAN'T READ STAY OFF THE BRIDGE!!!!"

This reminds me a little too much of Frenchmans Bluff bridge....another piece of history destroyed by an idiot.

I think if this bridge had running boards it would increase the load bearing significantly for low relative cost. NOT 34000 lbs worth thought. I posted this comment on the news story page, I'm mad:

I hope the SOB driving that truck was fined, or is forced to pay for the repairs. Dream-on. In our bridgehunting Gene McCluney and I have seen where fires were built on bridges (and bridges destroyed by such fires), have seen where people have "burned" off their tires and impacted the bridge and where just careless drivers have collided with the structures due to poor driving skills or intoxication. Like this we have seen and read of bridges damaged or destroyed by people unwilling to take their overweight loads an alternate route. I guess you can tell it steams me. Public property and living museums damaged or destroyed by the careless or stupid. The Wallace Bridge is a great bridge site, I hope repairs are made.

The Conway County Petit Jean Country newspaper of Jan. 28, 2009 reports that the rear wheels of a delivery truck fell through the white oak decking of the historic Wallace Bridge in Perry County. Despite being routed around the bridge the truckdriver took the most direct route, unfortunately.

I visited the Wallace Bridge on Sept 5, 2008 at 3:00pm. Awesome bridge!!! Highly recommend you see this bridge.

This bridge has a 24 inch square hole on south end had to drive around to avoid. SPOOKY!! Be careful!

Even more redundant photos to counter the Fred Garcia bridge photo machine