Pulaski County votes to contribute $20 million to Broadway Bridge

LITTLE ROCK, AR – In a 10-5 vote, the Pulaski County Quorum Court approved contributing $20 million towards the construction of the Broadway Bridge.

The bridge will be named "America's Bridge" and will have a new look honoring military veterans.

The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department agreed to build a new basic bridge to replace the current one built decades ago and in need of repair at the cost of $59 million.

The court meeting Thursday night for the bridge vote was specially called by County Judge Buddy Villines. At the last Quorum Court meeting, the topic was tabled after hours of discussion and no decision was made. Villines was notified by the director of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department that a vote had to happen immediately or risk the loss of federal funding for the bridge.

The court's decision came after two hours of public comment, most of which was against spending the extra taxpayer money.