A large crowd gathered on the new Humphries Ford Bridge over the Spring River Nov. 29 to celebrate the official opening of a new and long-awaited thoroughfare.
The decade-long process to place a modern and safer bridge connecting the Fulton and Sharp Counties was one which will be remembered for years to come.
“At ARDOT we do hundreds of projects every year. Each of these jobs is very important. Jobs like this are the most important to me because they s the the small communities of Arkansas the backbone of Arkansas. It’s always good to get out here and celebrate these projects,” Lori Tudor, P.E. Director for the Arkansas Department of Transportation said. “Not only do the residents of Fulton and Sharp have a new bridge they also have an access. Previously when that bridge was flooded, you’d have to detour but that won’t happen anymore.”
For many, it is a bittersweet time as the completion of the new bridge means the destruction of the more than century old low water bridge residents and tourists have used for decades.
“The old bridge was built in 1914 and as about 10 feet wide. It was a challenge to cross even when the weather was good… I cannot begin to imagine the improvements this new bridge will have. For 110 years the old bridge served the residents, the $3.5 million dollar project, it has been in the works for about 10 years. To get to where we are today there were several hurdles that had to be cleared,” Alec Farmer, Chairman of the Arkansas State Highway Commission said. “Bruce Street summed up the improvement saying this is the biggest improvement he’s witnessed in his over 30-year career at ARDOT.”
Hardy Mayor Ethan Barnes shared some history of the old bridge, and how the location was significant to the City of Hardy and the Spring River area.
“The river crossing at Humphries Ford is upstream to the right, before any structure for crossing at this site, this general location was used to ford the river because the water was shallow enough to wade, go on horseback or a car, this later became Humphries Ford,” Barnes said.
Barnes explained that although in modern day when one hears the term ford, they may be inclined to think of the popular vehicle manufacturer, but its true meaning is to cross a shallow place of a river or stream.
“It’s uncertain when it was first called by that name but in the 1890 Meta Clark wrote in her diary about crossing the river in a horse drawn wagon. In those days, Meta’s family found a place and bought a farm on land that is now in a lake in Cherokee Village, Barnes said. “This place has been vital to the development of hardy Arkansas for over 130 years.”
Fulton County Judge Kenneth Crow said he was thrilled to see the project come to fruition and that it had not been a quick process.
“Nothing happens fast, this was a 10-year proposition, it was a compilation of six county judges who have had a part in this bridge beginning with the late Charles Willet, Jim Bicket, Judge Daryl Zimmer did the heavy lifting, Judge Jim Kendrick, Judge Gary Clayton and then me,” Crow said.
“When people watch a bridge being built, they see the construction but not what’s behind the curtains, we had to get 16 easements and then from the railroad. The last time I went to a bridge ribbon cutting ceremony was Norfolk lake. This is a delight.”
Sharp County Judge Mark Counts said during his time serving as the Sheriff of Sharp County, there were many times calls for help would come, but due to the constraints and weather dependent obstacles, aid was delayed by as much as half an hour because due to being unable to cross the old bridge.
“I was thinking looking at the old bridge I was hoping they’d still have it here so it could be seen before they get rid of it. It’s a great day for Fulton (County) but also for the citizens who live here and have to travel that bridge,” Counts said. “All the years of law enforcement. 90 percent of the calls would come though my department and I always worried about those crossing this old bridge. What a great day and a blessing to have this new bridge.”
Rep. Trey Steimel also emphasized the important role the new bridge will play in helping those who need help to receive it more quickly due to the new bridge.
“Today is a momentous occasion where we gather to celebrate the opening of the new bridge. It is not just a ribbon cutting, it is a symbol of progress, connectivity and a collective effort of the communities to build a brighter future. This bridge is more than a just stretch of concrete, it is a lifeline that connects people, businesses but most importantly it will give a consistent path for emergency services and first responders to help those in need,” Steimel said. I’d like to honor the visionaries and leaders who had the foresight recognize the importance of this project. Their commitment to progress has paved the way for better quality of life for generations go come.”
Judge Ken Crow provided an update Nov. 30 regarding the removal of the old bridge stating although he had intentions to leave a portion of the bridge, the Corps of Engineers had set forth perimeters which requires the bridge to be removed in its entirety.
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
