Cotter Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cotter Bridge |
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Cotter Bridge, 1988
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| Coordinates | 36°16′2″N 92°32′39″W / 36.26722°N 92.54417°W |
| Carries |  US 62B |
| Crosses | White River |
| Locale | Cotter, Arkansas |
| Official name | R.M. Ruthven Bridge |
| Maintained by | Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |
| ID number | AHTD 00702 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Marsh Reinforced concrete Arch |
| Total length | 1,850 ft (560 m) |
| Width | 2 lanes, 24 ft |
| Longest span | 216 ft (66 m) |
| Clearance above | 25 ft |
| Clearance below | 78 ft |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Bateman Contracting Company |
| Construction cost | $390,729.82 |
| Opened | 1930 |
The Cotter Bridge, also known as the R.M. Ruthven Bridge, is a famous bridge in Arkansas. It carries U.S. Route 62 Business over the White River. This bridge is located near the town of Cotter in Baxter County.
When it was finished in 1930, the Cotter Bridge helped people explore a part of the Ozarks that was hard to reach before. It is the only bridge in Arkansas built by the Marsh Engineering Company from Des Moines, Iowa.
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Why Cotter Needed a Bridge
Cotter started as a railroad town in 1905. To cross the wide White River, people used a ferry. The nearest road bridge was about 100 miles (160 km) away in Branson, Missouri. The river's water level changed very quickly, making the ferry unreliable.
People in Baxter County really wanted a bridge. However, they did not want to pay tolls to use it. When it became clear that a new federal road, U.S. Route 62, would come through the area, interest in building a bridge grew. This new road would bring many tourists and help the economy of the Ozarks.
In 1927, Arkansas allowed toll bridges to be built. These bridges would become free once their building costs were paid off. Judge R.M. Ruthven played a big part in getting the bridge built in Cotter. On May 2, 1928, President Calvin Coolidge approved the bridge project. After getting approval from the War Department, the job was given to James Barney Marsh.
Building and Opening the Cotter Bridge
A company from Nashville, Tennessee was hired to build the bridge in 1929. They used as many local workers as possible. To deal with the river's changing water levels, they used a special cable system. The company even installed lights and worked day and night to finish the bridge quickly.
The Cotter Bridge was officially opened on November 11, 1930. But for several months, people in Cotter kept using the free ferry instead of paying the bridge toll. The Highway Department even had to warn the community. They said funding might be stopped if people didn't start using the new bridge.
The Cotter Bridge Today
At one point, there was a plan to replace the Cotter Bridge. But local residents protested, and instead, a new bridge was built north of the area. Today, U.S. Route 62 uses the newer bridge. The Cotter Bridge now carries U.S. Route 62 Business through downtown Cotter.
The Cotter Bridge was the first bridge in Arkansas to be named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. In 1990, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historic structure.
Images for kids
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Wide angle view of the bridge and its surroundings.
