New Double Deck Bridge Over Tulsa's Arkansas River Approved

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- State officials have given a multi-modal bridge spanning the Arkansas River on westbound I-244 in Tulsa the green light.

During their meeting Monday morning, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved a contract to Manhattan Road and Bridge to replace the structurally deficient bridge with a double-decker bridge.

The cost of the entire project is $78 million. ODOT says the new structure will incorporate highway lanes on the top side, with two dedicated future rail lines and an area for bicycle and pedestrian traffic underneath.

"The replacement of this bridge is critical due to its deteriorating conditions," Oklahoma Department of Transportation Director Gary Ridley said. "This double-decker bridge is the first of its kind in the state, and opens the door to endless possibilities for expanding transportation in this region."

ODOT says the state is using a $50 million federal TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant awarded to the state in February 2009.

12/15/2010 Related Story: ODOT Lands Federal Money To Rebuild Tulsa's I-244 Arkansas River Bridge

The I-244 multi-modal bridge is considered one of the top projects in the country to receive this funding. Work is expected to begin in later this spring with the project to be completed in two years.