A $98.4m bid from US-based Massman Construction Company has been accepted by the Arkansas Highway Commission and Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) for the Broadway Bridge construction.

Massman Construction beat out competition from Edward Kraemer & Sons, PCL Civil Constructors, Brasfield & Gorrie.

According to the contract, Massman will be responsible for the renovation and construction of Broadway Bridge over Arkansas River between Little Rock and North Little Rock.

"A six-month closure will certainly be less burdensome than two years."

The bid from Massman is said to be lowest and the contractor has promised to keep the existing bridge out of service for shortest period of time.

AHTD director Scott Bennett said: "From the beginning, the length of time for the construction has been a major point of concern.

"While the bridge is out, 24,000 vehicles a day must find another way to cross the river. A six-month closure will certainly be less burdensome than two years."

The project was originally planned in 2008, when AHTD planned to build a plate girder bridge at an initial cost of $58m.

During the construction, the original bridge will be taken out of service, though the timeline is yet to be finalised.

"Once we have a firm timeline for when the current bridge will be closed, we will provide as much notice and information as we can," Bennett adds.

"In the near future, we’ll begin working out the details with the contractor to determine the detailed sequence of construction.