The 1850 ft. long Cotter Bridge was completed on November 1, 1930 by the Bateman Contracting Company and Marsh Engineering Company with a price of $390,729.82. When completed it was the biggest rainbow-arch bridge in the world. The 2-day dedication celebration was on November 11th and 12th. More than 4000 people attended the opening ceremony in 1930. It was opened as a toll bridge until 1938. Then it became the most photographed bridge in Arkansas. It was posted on the National Register of Historic Places on April 4, 1990. After 74 years the bridge needed to be restored. The Hardy Construction Company began the restoration on March 7, 2002. They almost rebuilt the entire bridge. The price was $6,278,211.30.