Unexpected discovery of more problems to a U.S. Highway 75 bridge near Jenks results in another construction delay encountered by motorists.
The bridge over Polecat Creek carries an estimated 59,000 vehicles a day but the Oklahoma Department of Transportation recently found more deterioration when crews removed the bridge deck.
Fox 25 News reports it means ODOT had to do a redesign and a pause as new construction materials were on order.
The latest setback follows an earlier pause this year, when work was temporarily halted because of a bald eagle nest nearby. With the second delay, it means the project’s completion won’t occur until the end of the year.
ODOT said it is still calculating the full cost impact of the delays but expects a change order in the coming months. Any increase would come from ODOT’s construction funds, which are largely paid for by fuel tax dollars, reported Fox 25.
“These bridges definitely needed some rehab work, at the end of the day, this is about safety, it’s going to be a much improved, safer bridge for everybody,” said TJ Gerlach, a spokesperson for the Transportation Department.