Clarendon Bridge

Visited this bridge on 23 Mar '09. Construction is very similar to the Newport Bridge over the White River. A barge loading facility is below the bridge on the east bank. AR Fish & Game river access (boat ramp) is 1/4 mile upstream. Highway 79 traffic seems light on this two lane bridge and I was able to stop in the middle of bridge and get out to photograph the nearby RR bridge. The west approach is long and gradual spanning swampy terrain. The attached photos show the massive bulked-up gussett plates on the upper eyebar link and of the pier support joint. The silver painted bridge is arced so visibilty from either approach is limited until reaching the middle. Clarendon is the Monroe County seat and the lovely courthouse with its tall clock tower can be seen from the bridge.

The first time I crossed this bridge, was in the early fall of 1975. My Mother was in training in Pine Bluff, for the Arkansas Employment Security Division. Since this was business. My dad took me and my brother Leslie sightseeing. He took us to Marvel, AR, to meet a lady, who he boarded with. Dad knew I was fascinated by bridges. He said we are going to cross a great big bridge in Clarendon, over the White River. When we crossed it then, the steel frame was yellow. Later they I suppose repainted it back silver. Anyhow it's the same bridge. Most of all it's a landmark.