-- Historic American Engineering Record
At 7:32 AM on October 2,2016,the main truss was blown up, falling into the river.
Despite the migratory birds, demolition of this bridge will begin July 5.
Not so fast:
http://www.thv11.com/news/local/migratory-birds-postpone-bri...
"The Jonesboro Sun reports that the dismantling of the Black River Bridge, a historically registered landmark, was scheduled for July. But state regulations prevent the demolition of a structure that migratory birds have nested in.
Randolph County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tim Scott says the birds were discovered shortly after a bid for the demolition was accepted on March 23."
This bridge is being scrapped in just a few months per AHTD.
Article with photographs:
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/30847844/black-river-bri...
Today,12-29-15, this bridge got its top scraped by an oversized load. It closed the bridge, and no serious damage is thought to have occurred on the bridge. This is another good reason to replace it: height.
I am not sure if this one is still scheduled for replacement or not. I would have to check state records. That being said, when I drove over it this evening, there was no evidence of construction going on. I will cross it in the morning. I will let you know if a parade of earth moving equipment appears by then 😄
This bridge is planned to be replaced, probably within the next 5 years. KAIT 8 has the story on their site : http://www.kait8.com/story/23447628/85-year-old-pocahontas-b...
The mayor states it would happen after the Blackrock bridge is finished, and that the Pocahontas truss bridge was originally supposed to be torn down when the parallel bridge was opened back in the 80's, but never was due to traffic volume.
You never know; old-fashioned engineering could outlast the new bridge. It happens.
It looks like the swing span will never open again. As the new bridge is in the way and the swing span would hit it.
I knew this one was potentially doomed when I crossed it last year. I didn't realize that it would be gone this soon however...