Quorum Court delays Broadway Bridge vote

The Broadway Bridge is not getting a new look and a new name, America's Bridge, at least for now.

Tuesday night, the Pulaski County Quorum Court voted to have a special meeting before voting on spending $20 million on enhancements for the new bridge being built to connect Little Rock with North Little Rock.

The state highway department already agreed to build a new basic bridge to replace the current one which was built decades ago and is in need of repair.

Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines has a vision for the bridge- a twin arch bridge- painted in patriotic colors to honor veterans. He thinks it will become a national tourist attraction and he wants to trademark the America's Bridge name.

But Tuesday, his vision did not get the money it needed to become a reality because he would have needed a super majority, which he would not have had with one of his supporters absent.

Instead, Quorum Court will hold a special meeting in the middle of next month to vote without further discussion.

The judge says the color of the bridge does not add to the cost, and the arches, or basket handles, would be the enhancements that cost millions.

He's also talking about adding LED lighting to make the bridge look like a waiving flag, but that's not part of this $20 million plan. He wants to start an endowment and trademark the name to pull in cash.