Culvert in Des Arc fails, highway shut

A section of Arkansas 323 in Des Arc was closed after a box culvert under the highway failed, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department said Thursday.

The section, approximately a half- mile south of Main Street in Des Arc, was closed immediately after the failed concrete culvert caused the highway above it to sink and pose a danger to motorists, the department said. Lanes in both directions of the highway are closed for approximately 100 feet.

How long the highway section will be closed won’t be known until crews are able to complete a more thorough inspection, the department said. Motorists should use local roads in the area and Arkansas 11 to the west as detours.