Structural Issues Close Old Highway 169 Bridge In Oologah

Structural issues forced the closure of the Old Highway 169 bridge over Four Mile Creek in Oologah on Friday afternoon.

The bridge carried all traffic on Highway 169 for decades until the Oklahoma Department of Transportation widened and realigned the highway in the mid 90s. 

The two-lane box truss bridge was still an important link because it connected the south business district with the rest of the community. The south business district includes a Dollar General, an auto parts store, the Oologah soccer fields and many homes.

Drivers will have to detour on back roads to get around the closure.

Rogers County Commissioner Mike Helm told the Oologah Lake Leader ODOT tried to give the bridge to the county after building the new part of the highway but the county refused because it was in such bad shape.

Read the story in the Oologah Lake Leader.

Heavy rainfall this spring and summer frequently sent Four Mile Creek out of its banks, likely contributing to the structural issues with the bridge.