New Bridge to Span Mississippi River

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The new $336 million U.S. Highway 82 bridge over the Mississippi River between Lake Village, Arkansas, and Greenville, Mississippi, is almost ready for traffic.

Arkansas highways spokesman Randy Ort said Monday that the new four-lane span needs some lane striping and other finish work, but that it should be open by the end of the week.

Officials from Arkansas and Mississippi gathered on the bridge Monday to dedicate the structure. It will replace a 70-year-old, two-lane crossing that is frequently struck by barges.

The new bridge is about a half mile downriver and has a wider central opening. The old bridge was build just south of a sharp bend in the river, making it hard to keep a line of barges straight.