Ponca low-water bridge, late 1970s/NPS Archives

Restoration and stabilization of the historic Ponca low-water bridge is getting underway this week. Built in 1943 by the Works Progress Administration, the Ponca bridge made it possible for vehicles to cross the Buffalo River along the historic route to and from Jasper for several decades. Today, the low-water bridge is primarily used by paddlers, hikers, anglers, and swimmers to access the Buffalo River and area trails. 

The Ponca low-water bridge is a contributing cultural feature in the Boxley Valley Historic District of Buffalo National River. Very few WPA-era bridges of its kind remain in the state of Arkansas. During a public comment period in 2006 over a proposed plan to remove the structure, the public exhibited overwhelming preference instead for its preservation. The forthcoming restoration work will include stabilization of the original bridge foundation, resurfacing of the road deck, and patching of weak spots throughout the structure.

This is one of several public transportation projects at Buffalo National River to be funded by the Eastern Federal Highways Program. Federal Highways Administration officials awarded the project bid to Kovilic Construction Co., Inc. of Franklin Park, Illinois.

Work, which was to begin Monday, October 29, is expected to last about 40 days, depending on weather delays. The public should expect restricted access and periodic closures of the bridge during this time. This may affect access to the canoe launch, Beaver Jim Villines Homestead, and the Buffalo River Trail to/from Boxley and Steel Creek. The public is urged to have alternate plans in case the bridge is temporarily closed during their visit.

Motorcyclists ride across the Ponca low-water bridge/Marysia Jastrzebski