ODOT.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 14, 2011
PR# 11-074
RE: State’s narrowest bridge replaced
Oklahoma’s narrowest state-owned highway bridge just got two feet wider. The bridge didn’t grow, but with its recent replacement, other bridges will now take the distinction.
Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation removed the SH-101 bridge over Big Lee Creek near Short in Sequoyah County from the highway system after a new, 40-foot-wide structure was built. The old, 18-foot-wide overhead truss bridge was built in 1946.
In August, 2010, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved a nearly $3 million contract to build the new SH-101 bridge over Big Lee Creek. The bridge was built under a joint venture between Yukon-based Plains Bridge Contracting of Oklahoma LLC and Coalgate-based Treas Construction Inc. The bridge carries 400 vehicles daily.
ODOT has 31 bridges that are 20 feet wide and now share the title of narrowest. Although considered narrow, the Big Lee Creek bridge was a two-lane structure as are the 31 others.
In addition to being narrow, the Big Lee Creek bridge was load posted, meaning some legally loaded vehicles could not cross it, and it was replaced as part of an effort to eliminate all such bridges. It also had an outdated design that required frequent inspections to ensure its safety.
—www.okladot.state.ok.us—
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Posted on
Wed, December 14, 2011
by John Cox