Charles W. Dean Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Charles W. Dean Bridge, known before 1999 as the Great River Bridge, will be a cable-stayed bridge
carrying Interstate 69
and US 278 across the Mississippi River
between Arkansas City, Arkansas
and Benoit, Mississippi
. The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
began land acquisition for the project in October 2006.
Preliminary studies indicate the bridge would be 4.25 miles (6.85 km) long, with one 1500-foot (460 m) cable-stayed span over the main channel of the river supported by two 450-foot (137 m) towers. A cost of $565 million has been estimated.
The structure's name is derived from Charles W. Dean (1927–1998), an engineer from Cleveland, Mississippi
who proposed the bridge in 1984. A Mississippi legislative act named the proposed bridge after Dean in 1999.
It has been determined that the Charles W. Dean Bridge will also carry Interstate 69
, following FHWA approvals for sections of I-69 in Arkansas in 2006 and Mississippi in 2010 that will connect to either end of the bridge.
Cable-stayed bridge
A cable-stayed bridge is a bridge that consists of one or more columns , with cables supporting the bridge deck....
carrying Interstate 69
Interstate 69
Interstate 69 is an Interstate Highway in the United States. It exists in two parts: a completed highway from Indianapolis, Indiana, northeast to the Canadian border in Port Huron, Michigan, and a mostly proposed extension southwest to the Mexican border in Texas...
and US 278 across the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
between Arkansas City, Arkansas
Arkansas City, Arkansas
Arkansas City is a town in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 366 at the 2010 census. The town is the county seat of Desha County.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
and Benoit, Mississippi
Benoit, Mississippi
Benoit is a town in Bolivar County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 611 at the 2000 census. The 1956 movie Baby Doll was shot on location in Benoit; many local residents played in minor roles.-Geography:...
. The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department
The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department is a government department in the U.S. state of Arkansas. Its mission is to provide a safe, efficient, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sound intermodal transportation system for the user...
began land acquisition for the project in October 2006.
Preliminary studies indicate the bridge would be 4.25 miles (6.85 km) long, with one 1500-foot (460 m) cable-stayed span over the main channel of the river supported by two 450-foot (137 m) towers. A cost of $565 million has been estimated.
The structure's name is derived from Charles W. Dean (1927–1998), an engineer from Cleveland, Mississippi
Cleveland, Mississippi
Cleveland is a city in Bolivar County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 12,334 as of the 2010 census.Cleveland has a fairly large commercial economy, with numerous restaurants, stores, and services along U.S. Highway 61...
who proposed the bridge in 1984. A Mississippi legislative act named the proposed bridge after Dean in 1999.
History and Development
The Great River Bridge was originally proposed by Mississippi engineer Charles W. Dean in 1984. Originally part of the planned relocation of US-278 through the lower Mississippi Delta, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the environmental impact statement (EIS) and issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the bridge in 2004.It has been determined that the Charles W. Dean Bridge will also carry Interstate 69
Interstate 69
Interstate 69 is an Interstate Highway in the United States. It exists in two parts: a completed highway from Indianapolis, Indiana, northeast to the Canadian border in Port Huron, Michigan, and a mostly proposed extension southwest to the Mexican border in Texas...
, following FHWA approvals for sections of I-69 in Arkansas in 2006 and Mississippi in 2010 that will connect to either end of the bridge.
Project Status
The environmental analysis process and design are complete. Since October 2006, Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) has been acquiring properties needed for the bridge and the approach roadways on the Arkansas side of the river. In its 2011-2013 Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan, the AHTD intends to begin construction of the Arkansas approach roadways and structures in 2011, subject to funding. Construction of the bridge and the remaining connections is contingent upon funding.External links
- Old Man Bridge: Change in the Delta, Oxford American, 2005.