North Little Rock, Arkansas – City leaders in North Little Rock are once again taking steps to replace the nearly 100-year-old Main Street Viaduct, a heavily trafficked bridge in downtown that has long raised safety concerns due to its deteriorating condition.
The bridge, which stretches from 8th Street to 13th Street, carries about 19,000 vehicles every day. It’s an essential connection in the city’s infrastructure—but its age is starting to show. Deep cracks, gaping holes, and visible decay underneath the structure have drawn concern from both officials and the public. After years of raising the alarm, the city is now seeking federal support to help cover the massive cost of rebuilding it.
“Our own engineers have said it is way past time,” said Nathan Hamilton, a North Little Rock city council member, during a recent meeting. He has repeatedly called attention to the viaduct’s dangerous state and pushed for stronger action to address the risks.
Mayor Terry Hartwick echoed those concerns and pointed out just how expensive the fix will be. “It is probably a $50 million job, and not only that, you have to work through the Department of Transportation, which is Union Pacific,” he said, noting that the bridge spans an active railway line. That makes the replacement project more complex than a typical road or bridge repair.
The city’s attempt to secure a federal grant is not a new idea. A similar application was submitted in 2022 but was ultimately turned down. This time, however, city officials are hoping for better results, especially with strong public and council support behind the new application. In a special meeting held Friday, the North Little Rock City Council approved funding for the city’s portion of the grant, 20% of the total cost. That comes out to about $400,000 in local funds.
If awarded, the federal grant would cover the remaining 80% of the cost and push the long-awaited Main Street Viaduct Replacement Project into the next phase. That would include detailed design work, engineering analysis, and an environmental impact study.
City officials stressed that the current condition of the bridge is not just concerning—it’s a top priority. “For five years it has been listed as poor, and it is the highest-traveled bridge in Arkansas that is poor, which gives it the distinction of being the most dangerous bridge in the state, and that is as of five years ago,” Hamilton said.
Residents and drivers who depend on the viaduct daily have grown increasingly frustrated with its worsening state. Potholes, exposed rebar, and uneven pavement have made the route not only unpleasant but also potentially unsafe. The city’s renewed push for federal funding has brought some hope that long-overdue repairs may finally become a reality.
For now, the application process is underway, and North Little Rock officials are doing what they can to prepare for the possibility of major construction. Whether the grant is approved remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the city is no longer waiting quietly as one of its most critical pieces of infrastructure continues to age.
Until then, officials urge drivers to remain cautious and are working with transportation partners to keep the bridge monitored and as safe as possible in the interim.
