Historic Bridges

What is this project?

The restoration of the Maple Street Overpass Bridges and the Lafayette Street Overpass Bridge over a single track of the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad.

Why is it important?

In keeping with the City’s dedication to historic heritage and preservation, it is the intention of the City to restore both historic bridges in accordance with federal requirements and guidelines related to restoration of historic structures.

Arkansas Preservation Award

This project received the 2016 Arkansas Preservation Award in Excellence in Preservation through Rehabilitation for a Public Entity from the Preserve Arkansas Organization.

What is the current status?

Construction is complete.

How was the project funded?

Funding for the project in the amount of $1 million comes from the Federal-aid Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (HBRRP) with all additional funding coming from the City's Transportation Bonds, which voters approved in 2006 for the Master Transportation Plan. The construction contract for this project was approximately $1,750,000. This final construction cost was $1,774,000.

History

Lafayette Street

The Art Deco style bridge was constructed by contractor, Ed B. Mooney in 1938 under the authority of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad, the Arkansas State Highway Commission and the United States Bureau of Public Roads. The overpass stands as the best example of an Art Deco influenced concrete bridge in Fayetteville and is representative of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Era. The structure was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

Maple Street

Constructed in 1936, the Maple Street Overpass was designed by Frederick Lutt Johann, the well known bridge designer who did an assortment of other work in Arkansas. The Art Deco style bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.