Charles W. Dean Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charles W. Dean Bridge |
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|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33°37′12″N 91°08′10″W / 33.62000°N 91.13611°W |
| Carries | 4 lanes of   I-69 / US 278 |
| Crosses | Mississippi River |
| Locale | Arkansas City, Arkansas and Benoit, Mississippi |
| Other name(s) | Great River Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Cable-stayed bridge |
| Longest span | 1,500 feet (457 m) |
| Clearance below | 85 feet (26 m) |
The Charles W. Dean Bridge is a planned bridge that will cross the mighty Mississippi River. It will connect Arkansas City, Arkansas and Benoit, Mississippi. This bridge is designed to carry four lanes of traffic for Interstate 69 and U.S. Route 278. Before 1999, it was known as the Great River Bridge.
This special bridge is a cable-stayed bridge. This means its road deck hangs from strong cables. These cables are attached to tall towers. The bridge is still in the planning stages. Money is needed to start building it.
What is the Charles W. Dean Bridge?
The Charles W. Dean Bridge is a very long bridge project. It is planned to be about 4.25 miles (6.85 km) long. The main part over the river will be 1500 feet (460 meters) long. This section will be held up by two towers. These towers will be about 450 feet (137 meters) tall.
Engineers have estimated that building this bridge will cost around $565 million. The bridge is named after Charles W. Dean. He was an engineer from Cleveland, Mississippi. He first suggested building this bridge way back in 1984. In 1999, a law in Mississippi officially named the bridge after him.
Why is this Bridge Important?
This bridge is a key part of the planned Interstate 69 highway. I-69 is a major highway project. It aims to connect Canada to Mexico through the central United States. The Charles W. Dean Bridge will help complete a big section of this highway. It will make travel easier and faster across the Mississippi River.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has approved the plans for this bridge. This means the government agrees it's a good idea. They have also approved the sections of I-69 in Arkansas and Mississippi that will connect to the bridge.
When Will Construction Start?
The Charles W. Dean Bridge project is ready to go. All the environmental checks and permits are done. This means it's considered "shovel ready". However, building can only start when enough money is found.
In 2006, the state of Arkansas began buying land for the bridge. This is a big step. It shows they are serious about the project. As of 2009, the U.S. Congress had approved the bridge for funding. But the actual money has not been given yet.
In 2017, the bridge project was brought up in Congress again. There are plans to make it an active project soon. Everyone hopes that funding will become available so construction can begin.
