The replacement of the US-70 Roosevelt Bridge over Lake Texoma will be one of the major topics to be decided Monday when the Oklahoma Transportation Commission meets.
Built in 1947, the bridge was damaged by flooding from storms in April and May of last year, forcing a temporary closing by the state. The bridge is the most direct east to west connector between Marshall and Bryan counties and also is a major link between Kingston and Durant. When the bridge was closed last year, it forced residents to drive a 35-mile detour at Lake Texoma.
Final design team to be chosen
In November, the Transportation Commission approved $6 million in contracts to three design-build teams who started working directly with the transportation department to create proposed design and construction schedules for the replacement.
At the time, the Commission explained the competition by the three separate firms would reduce friction and force what it called “sharper value capture.” The highest scoring of the teams will be chosen to continue working with the commission. Construction is anticipated to begin this summer.
The Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s monthly meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, April 6 in the R.A. Ward Transportation Building, 200 N.E. 21st St., Oklahoma City. Members of the public and media are invited to attend or watch the livestream.
Items to be addressed at the meeting:
- Transportation Secretary and Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz will present commissioners with Gov. Stitt’s proclamation declaring April 20-24 as Oklahoma’s “Work Zone Awareness Week” and discuss partnership events planned statewide.
- Commissioners will consider approval of the best value proposer to move forward with the replacement of the US-70 Roosevelt Bridge over Lake Texoma.
- The commission will vote on whether to award several contracts, among them three bridge rehabilitation projects on US-64/US-412 between the Cimarron Turnpike and Sand Springs, nine miles of resurfacing I-35 in Norman and a $73 million project to widen I-40 from the Kickapoo Turnpike east to McCloud.
The full agenda packet may be viewed here.