ARKADELPHIA, Ark.-The Ouachita River Bridge in South Arkansas has been shut down after a truck struck several beams on the bridge's superstructure.
The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department says the truck hit the bridge on Arkansas 51 in Arkadelphia shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday. Engineers are assessing the damage and will work to place temporary supports until a permanent fix can be made.
The highway department says the bridge will remain closed until further notice, but arrangements have been made for emergency vehicles to cross. A detour route that travels north into Hot Spring County has been established.
The 56-year-old bridge carries 3,100 vehicles daily. Construction was already underway on a replacement structure on the downstream side of the bridge with an estimated completion date of next summer.