After passing over the Clear Creek Bridge, the Bunyard Tunnel becomes visible, just barely, four miles to the north. Shipman stops at the 205-foot tall Bohac Ravine Bridge, nine miles north of Mountainburg. Giant concrete columns support the bridge as it crosses the ravine. The columns sit on concrete footings that rest on a huge rock table underground. The new interstate's route was until recently raw countryside.
Hawks still perch in roadside trees.
Shipman said he recently saw an eight-point buck farther up the road and once saw a fox on the highway. Coming back last night, I had five deer in the headlights. Just inside the Washington County line, the yawning tunnel looms ahead. The tunnel under Bunyard Road is formally named for Highway Commissioner Bobby Hopper, a leading advocate of the new road. Specially designed lights will automatically adjust light levels, and emergency generators will ensure continuous power.