Harahan Project bid comes in with lower pricetag

Modifications to the hotly anticipated Harahan Bridge Project allowed the latest round of construction bids to come in more than $5 million lower than original estimates.

Engineering changes that will streamline the project’s construction allowed for the lower price tag, according to Paul Morris, Downtown Memphis Commission president. 

The Harahan Bridge spans the Mississippi River, connecting Downtown Memphis to Crittenden County, Ark. The project – which has been renamed Big River Crossing – would reopen the former roadway for bicycle and pedestrian traffic along the bridge, presenting spectacular views of Memphis and the Mississippi River.

Big River Crossing’s first round of bids came in at about $25.5 million, including both the bridge boardwalk and the West Memphis greenway connector. The latest round saw that total cost shaved to about $20.3 million.

Morris said a private-funding gap of about $2.5 million still exists before ground can move on Big River Crossing. Charlie McVean is leading the private fundraising effort.

“We are optimistic of filling it through private sources by the end of (September),” Morris said.

The latest engineering modifications are not expected to shorten the overall construction timeline. Work should begin by the end of this year and finish by spring or summer 2016.

Big River Crossing is a piece of the larger Main Street to Main Street Connector Project, a formal partnership between Shelby County, and the state of Tennessee, and Crittenden County, and the state of Arkansas. It is a 10-mile multi-modal corridor that will increase and improve alternative transportation options in the Memphis metro area.

The Harahan Bridge originally opened in 1916 and carried automobile traffic from Downtown Memphis into Arkansas until 1949. It is still used for rail traffic; the proposal would open only the north side of the bridge for pedestrian and bike crossing.
A bike-, pedestrian- and stroller-friendly surface will be installed on top of the bridge’s existing structural steel, as will security fencing.

By Jane A. Donahoe