This bridge did not have the lift span when it was built.
As I read on another site, the lift span was added in 1972.
The way I read it, the City of Little Rock was sending in letters, telling that river traffic could not go under the bridge, so after 2 or 3 years of complaints, Rock Island closed the bridge in 1971, and mid 1972 reopened with a new lift span.
Sadly, Rock Island only got to use the new lift span for 8 years, until they went bankrupt in 1980.
Earth Day festivities were being held on the Clinton Library grounds when I was visiting this bridge on 21 April '07. Attached are two views that will compliment the nice array of photos already posted for this bridge.
Webmaster's note: The photos that were here have been incorporated into the main site.