Turner Bend and the Hwy 23 Bridge

[Brad Wimberly]

The relocation of the Hwy 23 bridge over the Mulberry here at Turner Bend is being considered by the Ark Hwy and Transportation Dept. This subject has been discussed pretty thoroughly on the message board.
No Build is the best possible outcome for Turner Bend, but this is not a realistic position. Obviously the 78 year old bridge is going to be replaced at some point. With Federal money paying for most of the cost of a new bridge, it is highly unlikely the AHTD would leave things as they are for anything other than the short term now that the bridge has been declared "functionally obsolete". This leaves trying to get the best possible outcome when the new bridge is constructed. I have visited with my neighbor to the west of the campground and the District Ranger of the Forest Service and we are in general agreement about some ideas.
* Move the proposed bridge a bit to the west of the Alternative 3 that they are proposing so that it misses the Turner Bend Campground entirely.
* Build a public Mulberry River access on the north side of the river just downstream of the existing bridge, which would be just upstream of the new bridge.
*Leave the existing bridge. With the new bridge located a bit further downstream the old bridge should pose less of a threat should it ever collapse. The relocated highway and new bridge would leave about 2/3 of a mile of the existing highway as a side road for local traffic visiting the access point,Turner Bend, and other private property. I don't know whether this stretch of the road be a county, or Forest Service road at that point. This would give Turner Bend a chance to remain viable although it will be difficult with much less exposure to Hwy traffic. Another thought is to keep the existing bridge as a pedestrian bridge. This would help make Turner Bend something of a destination. Some government entity would have to adopt it and maintain it.
The other options presented by the AHTD would result in either a crippled or closed business here.
If there is to be a public access point at Hwy 23 then this bridge relocation project is when it will happen.

[paddledog]

Great solution Brad.
Now, will the powers that be listen to logic?

[Half Ton]

Don't forget to throw in the ozark hellbenders as an endangered species on the comment form if you have not yet written your comments and mention that Hwy 23 is a state tourism draw - as it is touted by ar parks and tourism and city of ozark as a tourist destination by itself alone.