A $124 million grant from the Federal government will allow Oklahoma to replace a bridge built in 1947 spanning Lake Texoma.
The Department of Transportation announced the funding from the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Investment Program will allow replace of the historic US-70 Roosevelt Bridge that connects Kingston and Durrant in southeastern Oklahoma.
The grant is the largest ever for the state Transportation Department.
“This is exciting news for the state and we’re grateful to Gov. Stitt and members of Oklahoma’s congressional and legislative delegation and the Federal Highway Administration for seeing the importance of this corridor and helping the department secure an additional funding source,” stated Tim Gatz, Transportation Department director.
He explained the Roosevelt Memorial bridge is what he called an “outdated design” and it no longer meets current or future traffic needs.
In order to replace the bridge, the state will build a new structure immediately south of the existing Roosevelt Memorial bridge and keep the old bridge open while work is underway. The old bridge carries about 8,500 vehicles a day.
Official estimates indicate a final cost of up to $250 million. The state legislature in the most recent session approved up to $200 million in bonds for the project.