Routine Inspection Mandates Closure of Highway 166 Bridge near Pocahontas

RANDOLPH COUNTY (8-14) – Safety concerns, revealed during a routine bridge inspection,
necessitate the closure of a State Highway 166 bridge near Pocahontas in the community of
Engelberg, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials.

A routine inspection of this structure, done in accordance with federal standards, revealed
concerns about the load carrying capacity of the bridge. On average, approximately 800
vehicles travel across this bridge daily.

The Department is considering all options for temporary restoration of the stream crossing.
A construction project to replace the structure (and two others in the area) is currently
scheduled for 2022 but the Department is considering options to advance the timeline for
this work.

Drivers will need to use alternate routes to travel between Engelberg and U.S. Highway 67.

Drivers should exercise caution when approaching and traveling through all highway work
zones. Additional travel information can be found at IDriveArkansas.com or ARDOT.gov. You
can also follow us on Twitter @myARDOT.

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