The existing US-82 bridge near Greenville is a navigation hazard. It is located on a tight curve in the river with a strong cross-current right at the bridge. It makes navigation through the bridge much like threading the eye of a needle. The new bridge is being built about 2800 feet downriver. It will be in a straight section of the river with a 1300 foot space between the main 425 foot tall towers.

Various web sites, including the official project web site, claim that this will be the largest cable stay bridge in North America when completed. That claim appears to be incorrect given that the Cooper River Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina has a span of over 1500 feet and towers that are 575 feet tall.

Like the current US-82 bridge just upstream, the new Greenville Bridge will be located almost entirely in Arkansas, including most of the eastern approach road. This is due to the river channel having moved west, but the state line having not been adjusted to follow the river.

As of November, 2006, the bridge is complete. However, construction on the approach roads has just gotten underway. It will take upwards of 3 years to complete the approach roads, so the new river crossing will not be open to traffic until later in 2009. Until then, this is one huge and elegant bridge with both ends suspended 120 feet in the air. An official Mississippi DOT photo of the completed bridge is at the bottom of this page showing the bridge sans approach roads.