LITTLE ROCK, AR The first of two arches will be floated into its final resting place according to Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) officials.

Massman Construction Company will begin moving the westernmost arch. It is expected to take approximately three hours to move the arch into place on the north side of the river and then another four hours to properly align and lower the span.

Found on the Department's web site www.arkansashighways.com, a countdown clock represents official time being kept by the AHTD as Kansas City-based Massman Construction continues the 180-day period the company included as part of its $98.4 million bid to replace the Broadway Bridge. 

In these 180 days, Massman must remove the old bridge, construct the new bridge and open it to traffic. The term "open to traffic" does not mean the project is complete. It is estimated the contractor will require an additional two months to bring the project to completion; however motorists will be able to use the new bridge once it opens to traffic.

The construction contract includes an incentive/disincentive clause of $80,000 per day. If Massman opens the new bridge to traffic before the 180 days expires, the company will earn an incentive of $80,000 per day up to a maximum 50 days. If the contractor fails to open the new bridge to traffic within the 180 days, Massman will be charged $80,000 per day with no limit on the number of days that amount can be assessed.