Hours after the Oklahoma Transportation Commission on Monday approved $5.5 million in emergency repairs caused by flooding to the US-70 Roosevelt bridge causeway over Lake Texoma, crews began the repairs later that night.
The causeway in Southeastern Oklahoma was severely damaged due to recent storms and flooding in the area. Engineers closed the bridge and causeway for assessment, determined it was safe to reopen to traffic with some restrictions. The bridge is safe and did not sustain damage.
“ As a result of the record rainfall in April and early May, coupled with a series of high straight-line wind and tornadic events in Marshall and Bryan counties, the causeway at the east end of the Roosevelt Bridge over Lake Texoma on US-70 has been extensively damaged by water saturation and wave action, scour and erosion, necessitating closure of the Roosevelt Bridge to protect the public,” ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz told commissioners.
He explained the Roosevelt Bridge is the most direct east-to-west connecting route between Marshall and Bryan counties and is a critical connector for northern Texas and southern Oklahoma.
“The closure of this bridge necessitates an approximately 35-mile detour for the citizens of these counties, as well as numerous visitors to Lake Texoma. The closure of the Roosevelt Bridge, due to the foundational condition of the causeway, has compromised emergency services and negatively impacted the economic viability of the area.”
Emergency repairs began Monday night and will continue through July with a short suspension over the holiday. Plans to replace the Roosevelt bridge and causeway are anticipated to begin in 2026.