Court decides in favor of proponents of a south Tulsa toll bridge project

Tulsa County's commissioners won a legal victory Tuesday over how they approved a toll bridge for the Arkansas River.<br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan was in the courtroom when the ruling came

Tuesday, October 25th 2005, 9:55 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa County's commissioners won a legal victory Tuesday over how they approved a toll bridge for the Arkansas River.

News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan was in the courtroom when the ruling came down and he says it removes a legal hurdle for construction of the bridge.

Tulsa County signed a deal this past summer that allows a private company to build a toll bridge at 121st and Yale. It would bridge the Arkansas River, connecting south Tulsa with the south bank of the river.

A citizens group sued the commissioners over the deal and it went to court Tuesday. The group alleged commissioners exceeded their authority, met illegally, and should have put it out for bids. The judge dismissed all their claims.

Michael Covey with the South Tulsa Citizens Coalition says they were obviously disappointed with the judgeâ€™s decision.

And it's not over for either side. The County commissioners still face opposition from the Tulsa City Council, but with a signed deal in place, it could move forward if commissioners and the company building bridge decide to proceed.