Walkway across Mississippi River opens in West Memphis
by October 24, 2016 2:25 pm 204 views
A multi-use bridge that connects West Memphis to Memphis across the Mississippi River is now open, according to the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism.
Big River Crossing, which consists of a railway, in addition to a walkway/paved bicycle path, opened to the public Oct. 22.
At almost one mile in length, it is the longest public walkway crossing the Mississippi River and also the longest rail/bicycle/pedestrian bridge in use throughout the U.S., according to the tourism department.
“It’s been incredible to watch the growing interest in biking,” Joe David Rice, director of Arkansas tourism, said in a news release. “This bridge is just what the doctor ordered. It’s going to make a big difference in the Arkansas Delta and for tourism opportunities in The Natural State.”
A related project called the Big River Trail is also planned, pushed forward by the approval to open a river levee from West Memphis to Lee County to bicyclists and pedestrians.
“The accessibility of the St. Francis Levee District opening the levee to cyclists makes this a destination for many guests wanting to explore the unique beauty of the Arkansas Delta through natural, cultural and historic experiences,” Grady Spann, director of parks, said in the press release. “It will allow our cycling guests to easily connect to our state parks in the Delta.”
The plan is to connect Big River Trail to the Delta Heritage Trail State Park near West Helena. A destination called Delta Regional River Park is also planned in West Memphis.
The projects are part of a regional effort to highlight the Mississippi River.