Scenic Guardrails GET A MAKEOVER BY BRITNI PADILL A-DUMAS
M
OST OF US HAVE USED THE COLLOQUIAL PHRASE, “TAKING THE SCENIC ROUTE,” BUT THAT’S PRETTY EASY TO DO IN THE NATURAL STATE WITH ITS 11 SCENIC BYWAYS. FOR A HIGHWAY TO BE OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AS A SCENIC BYWAY, IT MUST CONTAIN ABUNDANT SCENIC, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND/OR HISTORIC QUALITIES THAT WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO TOURISTS. Arkansas’ Scenic Byways Program
network of National Scenic Byways
Instead of traveling across plain
and All American Roads. The Act also
concrete and steel, onlookers can coast
encouraged each state to develop its
along a simple, sleek rock and lumber
own state scenic byway program.
bridge that blends with the surrounding
ArDOT Engineers recently began working on a new bridge rail design for
beauty. “The woodgrain on the rail looks so
the state’s scenic routes. The new look
natural that you almost have to touch it
is more aesthetically pleasing and was
to know it isn’t wood,” Fugett admired.
created with the goal of softening the
“It’s important that we preserve the
contrast between the natural elegance
artistry of the environment whenever
of the surrounding area and a man-
we can,“ commented ArDOT Director
made bridge suitable for heavy traffic.
Lorie Tudor. “Our state is naturally
“The new design fits the context of
beautiful and designing an aesthetically
the area so well,” said Assistant Chief
pleasing transportation system is one of
Engineer of Design Mike Fugett.
our goals.”
was established shortly after
“I really like that they resemble the
Congress passed the Intermodal
infrastructure from the Works Progress
working on the new look last year.
Surface Transportation Efficiency
Administration (WPA) and the Civilian
The first bridge to be completed by
Act of 1991. This federal legislation
Conservation Corps (CCC) era from
contractors is on Highway 7, north of
created the framework to develop a
the 1940s.”
Hot Springs Village.
Roadway Design engineers began
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