Communities experience gridlock with detoured traffic

Traffic is sure to be a big problem for months to come now that the bridge is closed indefinitely. <br><br>The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has been out around the clock directing traffic trying to control

Tuesday, May 28th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Traffic is sure to be a big problem for months to come now that the bridge is closed indefinitely.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has been out around the clock directing traffic trying to control the overflow. The residents of Whitefield in Haskell County say they've never seen so much traffic.

And motorists traveling on Highway 9 will travel through Stigler. It's a town not used to this much traffic, and unlike I-40, the road has only two lanes. OHP trooper Eddie Bohanan, "There's a lot of confusion as to where the detours are going and all that but it's flowing pretty smooth."

The OHP says anyone driving this way should expect delays.

Repair work on the collapsed bridge could take at least a year, though the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is pledging to have it standing again in six months.