Dear AHTD - the new Arkansas River I-49 bridge?

[O Tamandua]

AHTD, first a comment, then my (related) question:

1.  Looks like after this summer when it's all I-49 from Texarkana to Shreveport (metro) and Fort Smith has its new section of the same road you're left with three key parts of that highway in Arkansas, the "Three Bs" (not trying to be cute, just realistic):

A.  The Bypass (or "The Bella Vista Bypass")
B.  The Bridge (over the Arkansas River between I-49 at Alma and Barling), and;
C.  The Big One (I-49 between Greenwood and Texarkana).  With that being said:

2.  I know you said the cost estimates for#2, the Arkansas River bridge for I-49 are being reworked.  My question is: has there ever been a rendering of that bridge that's been created, and if so, posted here? (Sorry if I missed it.  Couldn't find it on a search either here or on google).

Reason I am asking is because when one drives south through Alma on I-49 (weird to say that now, but it's true) he has an interesting view of the Arkansas River Valley ahead.  I know that cost and safety are paramount and outweigh any other concern.  But if somehow the bridge will have any elevated portions, those will likely be quite visible when one reaches the summit of the hill with the aforementioned view.  If said structure(s) were lit up at night it would make a fascinating sight.

But as said earlier, I'm for progress rather than process, so if we want to have the most boring of bridges as long as its safe and makes the genuine I-49 crossing, I'm all for whatever it looks like. 

[AHTD]

No design, rendering or anything else has been done for this river crossing.

Estimates are ballparked at $500 million and we would LOVE to see I-49 completed all the way south to U.S. 71 in Sebastian County.

You are likely to see a standard plate-girder structure here, but who knows what can happen with money and time?

[mvak36]

On a related subject, what about the bridge over the Red River? Are you guys building a new bridge? Or upgrading an existing one? What would be the cost estimate for that? Thanks in advance

[RBBrittain]

On a related subject, what about the bridge over the Red River? Are you guys building a new bridge? Or upgrading an existing one? What would be the cost estimate for that? Thanks in advance

I'm not AHTD (the user OR the department) so I can't give you a cost estimate, but it'll definitely be a new bridge.  The EIS for I-49 north out of Texarkana calls for it to go west into Texas from the current north end of the Arkansas Loop, tie into a northern extension of the Texas Loop (probably I-369), then turn north and cross the Red River upstream from US 71.  (Edit: There's no way it could reuse the existing US 71 bridges unless the Arkansas end of the Loop is completely redone into a 90-degree turn.)

The one major bridge that could be just an upgrade is across the Little River thru the Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge.  The EIS shows that part of I-49 along the existing US 71; it's unclear if it'll be an all-new crossing next to the existing one, or the existing two lanes plus two new lanes.  (I-49 may also reuse some existing US 71 lanes thru the huge S-curve in the mountains between Mena & Waldron.)