In what I believe is a first for the state, the new I-244 bridge across the Arkansas River will allow for not only car traffic, but also bicycle and pedestrian traffic as well as future rail lines:
According to ODOT the replacement bridge will be “multi-modal”; incorporating a new section of the westbound highway, two dedicated future rail lines and an area for bicycle/pedestrian traffic into a double-decker style bridge.
Those that have ridden in places like New York City will be very familar with the concept, and while this is our first instance of such a bridge, it’s nice to see ODOT planning for multiple uses of their bridges. Below is an artist’s rendering of the bridge:
The bridge will cost approximately $80 million with $50 of the funding coming from federal stimulus dollars. You can read the full press release here.