City of Wilmar Dedicates Two New Bridges
September 10th, 2013 by Sarah Spencer
Friday morning, the Wilmar Mayor and Aldermen met with project engineers to officially open two new bridges.
Mayor Curly Jackson, Sr., Mr. Gwain Hammock, Mr. Marvin Hopson, Ms. Amanda Orr and Mr. Rickey Woods met with John Doyle, Project Manager for McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc. of Little Rock, Scott Brecht of MCE, Debra Garcia with Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and Mr. James Thompson, contractor, at Wilmar City Hall/Water Department to finalize paperwork on the project.
The project replaced bridges on 6th Street and 13th Street. According to Mayor Jackson and Mr. Marvin Hopson, alderman and long-time resident of Wilmar, the original bridges were of all wood construction, and had deterioriated years ago. There had been no bridge spanning 6th Street since before 1996, and Mr. Hopson recalled that the 13th Street bridge had been out since 1986. Anyone needing access across that area would have to take a lengthy and circuitous route to detour around the gaping chasms in the streets. This was not only inconvenient for residents, but was especially bad when emergency vehicles needed quick access to the areas.
In addition to replacing the bridges, also known as box culverts, 872 ft. of gravel road was paved on 5th Street, and 1,289 ft. of gravel road was paved on 13th Street. Extensive clearing of overgrown brush and dangerous and leaning trees was done on 13th Street, and roughly 150 ft. of silt fencing was installed to prevent soil washing into the creek until ground cover can be established in the cleared areas. Some water lines were also replaced in the construction areas. The total cost of the project, which was funded by grants, was $357,206.41 and has provided the City of Wilmar with modern, up-to-date roads and bridges, and convenience of access for the citizens and emergency services.
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