Slackwater harbor construction in Van Buren to begin in early 2026

Construction on the slackwater harbor in Van Buren along the Arkansas River is set to begin in April 2026, with completion of the long-awaited regional infrastructure asset estimated to be in the first quarter of 2027.

The construction estimates on the $18.16 million project is from a planning document provided by the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District (WAPDD), which is a parent agency of the Western Arkansas Intermodal Authority (WAIA). The authority was formed in 2011 to seek funding to improve or add intermodal facilities in the Fort Smith region.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced in November 2023 a $15.096 million grant to help fund construction of the harbor. The harbor will be off the main channel of the Arkansas River and will be 1,000 feet long and 200 feet wide and have the capacity to moor and offload up to eight barges at a time. The harbor will have roughly 2,000 feet of dock frontage with a 50-foot-wide concrete deck for mobile cranes.

Van Buren-based Five Rivers Distribution, which has port operations in Van Buren and operates the Port of Fort Smith, has committed to providing matching funds — more than $3 million — for the project. The new $18.16 million estimate is lower than the original estimate prior to engineering work of $18.87 million.

Documents provided by Ashley Garris, WAPDD assistant executive director, show that Phase 1 began in late 2024 and is projected to end in November 2025. Work during the phase includes surveys, permitting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and preliminary design work. According to the planning schedule, up to 90% of the design work will be completed in the first phase.

The second phase begins in late 2025 and will continue until estimated project completion in February 2027. Work during the phase will include design completion, contract bidding and awarding, soil and materials testing, and construction.

Of the estimated $18.16 million cost, $6.694 million is to purchase steel sheet piles and $4.016 million is for installation of the sheet piles. The piles, which are the primary construction component of the harbor, are long structural pieces of steel with a vertical interlocking system. The sheets create walls that retain soil or water and are commonly used as retaining walls, coffer dams, strengthening levees, and bridge abutments.

According to Marty Shell, Five Rivers owner, the harbor’s concrete deck will be above the 100-year flood to ensure year-round operation. The new slip will have lighting for extended operating times and improved safety.

The new harbor is expected to better facilitate the movement of containers and bulk products such as steel coils, wire rod coils, bar stock, pig iron, bulk feed, chemical, and petroleum goods and all break bulk and finished goods products, according to WAIA. Based on anticipated demand growth, the harbor could handle almost 530,000 tons by 2050.