Multiple bridges damaged above I-44 in Rogers County
An illegally over-height commercial motor vehicle struck and damaged six county bridges above Will Rogers Turnpike in Rogers County on Wednesday afternoon, forcing the closure of four bridges while inspections and repairs move forward.
Crews with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation quickly responded after the truck traveled from Tulsa toward Miami, striking multiple bridges between State Highway 266 near Verdigris and east of State Highway 28 near Vinita.
While the Will Rogers Turnpike remains open in both directions, officials warned that short, temporary closures could occur as inspections continue.
Four county bridges closed following strikes
At this time, four of the six damaged county road bridges remain closed until engineers complete further inspections and determine the scope of required repairs.
Bridges impacted by the incident include:
-
E. 530 Rd. – Closed between S. 4130 Rd. and Lakeway Rd.
-
S. 4220 Rd. – Closed between E. 460 Rd. and E. 470 Rd., east of Claremore
-
N. 429 Rd. – Closed between E. 390 Rd. and SH-28
-
N. 4300 Rd. – Closed between E. 380 Rd. and W. 390 Rd.
-
N. 4310 Rd. – Open
-
W. 370 Rd. – Open
Officials emphasized that closures will remain in place until inspections confirm the bridges are safe for public travel.
Agencies coordinate response and inspections
OTA is working closely with Rogers County, the City of Claremore, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and ODOT to assess damage, manage traffic impacts, and coordinate repairs.
Officials confirmed the four closed bridges will stay shut until engineers complete structural evaluations and determine whether immediate repairs or longer-term remediation is required. Additional updates will be provided as inspections progress.
Over-height trucks pose growing infrastructure risk
State officials reiterated that trucks taller than 14 feet may not travel Oklahoma’s highway system without proper permits and approved routes. The bridges struck in this incident range from 14 feet, 11 inches to 15 feet, 4 inches in vertical clearance, well above the legal limit.
Despite those clearances, officials said the driver failed to comply with state size-and-weight regulations.
“We are continuing to see damage to our state transportation infrastructure from illegal, over-height semi-trucks,” said Joe Echelle, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. “This is a critical issue that puts the traveling public at risk and is unacceptable.”
Echelle said officials were grateful no one was injured.
“We implore truck drivers to follow all Oklahoma laws and work with the state’s Size and Weights permitting office to ensure that all travelers are safe on our roadways and that our infrastructure remains undamaged by these careless acts,” he added.
Maps show scope of bridge closures
OTA released map graphics showing the locations of damaged and closed county bridges along the Will Rogers Turnpike, including closures between Verdigris and areas northeast of SH-28 and SH-20.
