Oklahoma Department of Transportation Media & Public Relations Division 200 N.E. 21st Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Phone:405-521-6000 Fax: 405-521-2524 www.odot.org Contact: Lisa Shearer-Salim Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020
Media Advisory
ODOT seeks input on US-281 Bridgeport Bridge project
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is inviting the public to view and comment on its plans to rehabilitate the US-281 Bridgeport Bridge over the South Canadian River at the Canadian and Caddo county line between Geary and Hinton just west of the Oklahoma City metro area. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of a nearly 18 mile-long corridor of Route 66.
The project proposes to improve safety by addressing the existing bridge’s deficient conditions while also preserving the historic integrity of the Route 66 corridor. While the travel lanes are proposed to be widened to accommodate modern truck widths, the department also will take several preservation measures such as retaining the iconic pony truss members on the sides of the structure to maintain the historic feel and appearance of the bridge. The proposed project is still in the development stages and the department is seeking comments relative to the social, economic and environmental effects of this project.
Members of the public can visit www.odot.org/US281Bridgeport to view a presentation, video and other materials about the proposal and submit comments through Oct. 18. Due to COVID-19 precautions, this presentation will be a web-based public viewing format with no in-person meetings scheduled. Those without internet access may contact the ODOT Environmental Programs Division at 200 N.E. 21st St., Ste. 3-D2a, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 or by calling 405-325-3269 and leave a detailed message. Comments also may be emailed to environment@odot.org.
The bridge will be closed to traffic during construction for up to 18 months with incentives to reduce the closure time. The virtual open house includes more details of this closure including an interactive detour map.
This project recently was awarded a $22 million federal BUILD grant award for construction costs. The estimated total more than $28 million project is expected to extend the life of the bridge by 75 years and is currently scheduled for a construction bid in 2022.