Construction Project Underway On Route 66 Bridge In Rogers County

NewsOn6.com

ROGERS COUNTY, Oklahoma -- Work is underway Wednesday evening to build a detour around an aging Route 66 bridge. The detour will take drivers off of the southbound bridge over Bird Creek and put them on the adjacent bridge.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation approved the emergency bid on Monday to start the work.

12/6/2010 Related Story: Westbound Lanes Of Bird Creek Bridge Closing In Rogers County

It will take about 20 days to build the detour, then crews will close the deteriorating bridge until a new one can be built in 2012. Emergency funding for the detour construction is $733,000.

During the detour construction, ODOT said it will continue to monitor the bridge for safety. If it is determined that the bridge isn't safe for traffic at any time, all lanes will immediately be closed and an alternate temporary detour route will be announced.