The Arkansas Department of Transportation's (ARDOT) first design-build project, the I-30 Corridor Reconstruction Project (30-Crossing), reached substantial completion months ahead of schedule in December. It was originally projected to wrap up in summer 2025.
A crucial part of ARDOT’s Connecting Arkansas Program, 30-Crossing replaced a 3,360-ft steel bridge over the Arkansas River, upgraded other bridges on Interstate 30, and widened I-30 through Little Rock and North Little Rock.
The joint venture’s Kiewit Corp. and Massman Construction Team chose W&W | AFCO Steel in 2019 to fabricate two new river bridges, plus 11 new overpass bridges. As the busiest route in Arkansas, carrying over 120,000 vehicles per day over the Central Arkansas portion of I-30 alone, the $634 million 30-Crossing represents the largest project in ARDOT’s history--not to mention the department’s first-ever design-build initiative.
Now, following three years of fabrication of some 23,000 tons of steel, the largest bridges--the two spanning the Arkansas River--boast continuous plate girders reaching 140 ft. 1 in. long and 144 in. deep. Additionally, the 11 new overpass bridges feature 27 in. to 96 in. continuous plate girders and 30 in. to 66 in. simple span plate girders.
W&W | AFCO Steel’s shops in Montgomery, Ala., Van Buren, Ark., and Little Rock, Ark., fabricated the steel on the bridges and played a crucial role in helping the Kiewit Massman team finish the project six months ahead of schedule.