Arkansas River Crossing - Bridge 410.6 - Van Buren, AR, MP 409.9 - Ft. Smith Subdivision

Discussion in 'Bridges' started by tom, Mar 11, 2005.

  1. tom

    tom Guest

    Arkansas River Crossing - Bridge 410.6 - Van Buren, AR, MP 409.9 - Ft. Smith Subdivision - 2

    Attached is a photo of the Frisco's Fort Smith & Van Buren bridge that opened for traffic in February 1886.

    The bridge had a man-operated swing span.

    The hard to see small house near the fourth pier likely housed the machinery.

    Edit 1/31/2024: Added body of water, bridge number, station, mile post and subdivision.
    MKD
     

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    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 3, 2024
  2. railroadguy65

    railroadguy65 Member

    I am posting several shots from the bridge over the Arkansas River connecting Van Buren, AR, MP 409.9, to Ft. Smith, AR, MP 414.9.

    And then several shots over some old Frisco Trestles that span the line.

    Check out the A&M website for more information.

    http://www.arkansasmissouri-rr.com/index.html
     

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    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2024
  3. john

    john FRISCO.org Supporter

    NOTE: As actually completed:

    3 spans 252 feet 9 inches center to center of end pins, inclined top chord.

    1 “draw” span, rim bearing, 366 feet center to center of end pins, inclined top chord.

    4 spans 162 feet center to center of end pins, parallel chord,

    Total length 1,798 feet
     

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  4. john

    john FRISCO.org Supporter

    Note the spurs incline ramps which were used by the LR & FS transfer boat upstream, west, of the new bridge location.
     

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  5. john

    john FRISCO.org Supporter

    The exposed areas of all the piers, except the one supporting the swing span, were similar in appearance.
     

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  6. john

    john FRISCO.org Supporter

    Pier 4 carried the turn span.

    The abutments, 1 and 10, were essentially identical.

    Pier number 1 is still in use, but pier number 10 was destroyed in the flood of 1943.
     

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  7. john

    john FRISCO.org Supporter

    The through trusses were mixed iron and steel.

    Through trusses 1, 2, and 4 were identical, as were through trusses 5, 6, 7, and 8.
     

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  8. john

    john FRISCO.org Supporter

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  9. john

    john FRISCO.org Supporter

    The metal work of the original bridge was dismantled in 1913-1914 and replaced.

    The trusses were sold and reused to build the original highway bridge across the Arkansas River at Morrilton. The new spans were erected on the original piers, although they were raised slightly at the time.

    The piers on the south end of the bridge are now all gone, directly or indirectly as a result of the new channel cut during the 1943 flood. The original 1885-1886 piers on the north,(Van Buren, side of the River are still in use today.

    The photos of the existing bridge were taken in 2007 from the Van Buren north bank.

    Two of them during a period of exceptionally high water.
     

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  10. john

    john FRISCO.org Supporter

    Here's a photo of the former Frisco, now Arkansas and Missouri (A&M) bridge at Van Buren, AR taken roughly at 3:00 pm Sunday.

    The River has just reached the record 38.1 feet set in the 1945 flood.

    The water is still rising at about an inch an hour with the crest expected to at least reach 42.5 feet.

    If it keeps raining maybe more.
     

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    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2024
  11. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Epic flood.

    Appears that even if it reaches the 42.5' stage, it shouldn't be hitting the plate girders.

    That's a GOOD thing.

    Andre
     
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  12. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Oh man!!

    Lets hope everything turns out as best as it can.

    Sorry to see and hear, of all the bad stuff happening out your folks way. This effects us all, whether we know it or not. From traffic disruption, to repair expenses, delays, just goes on and on. Thanks everyone for keeping us in he loop.

    Hoping for the best for all of us/you!
     
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  13. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Just read at the some of the weather sites that more heavy rain expected for the region on Tuesday and Wednesday.

    Andre
     
  14. Sirfoldalot

    Sirfoldalot Frisco.org Supporter Frisco.org Supporter

    Man, that's serious water .

    Never understood why that some effort has not been made to ship some of that excess out west!
     
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  15. A good friend of mine lives in Las Vegas and we have talked about that a lot.

    They are always in need of water and we normally have such a surplus.
     
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  16. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Desert towns in need of more water.

    For some strange reason, when you build large cities in the desert, that seems to happen.

    Duh.

    Andre
     
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    mountaincreekar likes this.
  17. Joe Lovett

    Joe Lovett Member

    What we need is a bunch of transcontinental pipelines to transfer water from areas with too much to areas that need more.

    They have oil pipelines that do that, so why not water?

    Joe
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2024
  18. Sirfoldalot

    Sirfoldalot Frisco.org Supporter Frisco.org Supporter

    Have wondered that for almost 50 years, Joe.

    Possible that wind and solar power could be used for punping to get over the divide?
     
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  19. 1. Would municipalities really want contaminated storm/flood water collected and piped to their area reservoirs?

    Tainted runoff from cattle/agricultural/industrial/city areas, etc., pumped in and added to local water supply?

    Yuck!

    2. Sending end having to make sure no debris get in to damage pumps along way. Sediment buildup in pipeline and other issues.

    Receiving end having to make sure its safe/potable may need additional treatment facilities, $$$$. Detroit/Flint, MI water issues.

    3. How and who would fund the pipeline and its maintenance for something mainly seasonal and not always a regular occurrence?

    No flooding, no use, but having to be maintained in ready status.

    Too many variables, no guarantees and still $$$$.

    If not a money maker as oil pipelines are then not likely any entity/entities that logistically and financially would and have ever, and likely will not ever, commit to such a red ink money pit endeavor.

    New and better national, regional and local flood control and water storage projects and management need to be considered or implemented.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2024
  20. Turky44

    Turky44 Member

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