Quapaw Indians seek more study of Mississippi crossing

(Little Rock, Arkansas-AP) -- Officials of the Oklahoma-based Quapaw Indian tribe are putting their foot down over a proposed bridge connecting Arkansas and Mississippi. <br><br>The Great River Bridge

Tuesday, April 4th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Little Rock, Arkansas-AP) -- Officials of the Oklahoma-based Quapaw Indian tribe are putting their foot down over a proposed bridge connecting Arkansas and Mississippi.

The Great River Bridge would carry Interstate 69 across the Mississippi between Desha County, Arkansas, and Bolivar County, Mississippi.

But the tribe says that used to be their land. The tribe says they want more studies of the bridge, part of the tribe's plan to re-establish their presence along the Mississippi River.

In response to the request, the Federal Highway Administration extended a public comment period on the bridge by 30 days -- not the 120 days the tribe had sought.

The Quapaw-based tribe says it wants to make sure building the bridge would make economic sense, believing studies so far on the bridge haven't been adequate.