A piece of Arkansas history is making a comeback as the Old River Bridge in Saline County nears the end of a major restoration project.
Believed to be the oldest river bridge in the state, the 19th-century structure is being reassembled at its original location spanning the Saline River. Crews are in the final stages, with fewer than 100 timber planks left to install before it becomes fully walkable for the first time in decades.
Originally dismantled for preservation, the bridge was transported to Michigan for restoration in 2021 before being returned to Arkansas. It is set to reopen to the public in late June as part of the Southwest Trail, a planned pedestrian and bicycle route connecting Little Rock to Hot Springs.
The restoration project represents over half a century of planning and collaboration and is expected to transform the bridge into a key destination for recreation and heritage tourism. Once complete, it will offer visitors a scenic and historically significant route for walking, biking, and exploring the area’s past.
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