Mannford Residents: Bridge Construction Creates 'Freeway' On Local Roads

A road closure is turning one Green Country county road into a freeway, at least that's what those who live along the road say.

Work started on a Highway 51 bridge just west of Mannford last week, and the locals said drivers are ignoring the road closed signs.

A detour sign is more than half a mile away from the where the bridge is being replaced. ODOT left the road open for the locals, but neighbors said drivers are ignoring the sign and putting them in danger.

The constant sound of crickets chattering has been replaced with what sounds and looks more like a highway.

“You're talking two to three to 5,000 cars coming down this old, lonely road right in front of my house, passing semis and whatever else,” said Mannford resident, Kenneth Carter.

Carter has called the corner, just outside Mannford home for 65 years. It had always been peaceful until last week when construction turned his rural road into, what he calls a nightmare.

Just about a mile down the street, construction crews are working to replace a bridge on Highway 51.

Traffic is supposed to detour on state highways, but that's 40 miles, and locals said their quiet street has become a shortcut for speeding drivers who don't know the roads.

Marcia Adams' daughter rides the bus home from school. She says the traffic is putting children in danger.

“It's scary,” she said. “They're coming around these curves so fast. They're pushing the buses over into the trees and off to the side of the road.”

What the locals and the area's county commissioner said is also concerning is the semi-trucks that are barreling over the bridges, and they said they're tons and tons over the weight limit.

Commissioner Rick Stewart recorded a semi crossing one of the rural bridges last week. He said the bridges weren't built for that kind of traffic.

“My biggest concern is life. I don't want anybody to cross this bridge and it end up caving in and end up losing their life,” Stewart said.

The locals understand drivers are trying cut down their commute, but they said the price could be too much to pay.

“Yeah, 15 or 20 minutes, that's not worth somebody's life, especially a child,” Adams said.

The county has called OHP and troopers have been patrolling on occasion.

The locals said they're really worried about heavy traffic for Thursday when OSU plays in Stillwater.

The bridge project is supposed to be finished by October 5th.