Century-Old Bridge In Bristow Being Replaced After Being Closed For Safety

A century old bridge just outside Bristow is finally being replaced, a year after safety concerns shut it down.

The bridge that used to be there was built in 1914, but after doing its job for over 100 years, it was time for a newer, safer bridge over Catfish Creek. 

The bridge is just west of Bristow on West 231st St. South. It was closed last December after an inspection found it to be unsafe, but just over a year later, progress is underway on a brand-new bridge thanks to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

Related Story: Creek County Bridge Set To Close After Safety Inspection

“There’s an issue for the county and they needed assistance in this project so they reached out to the Nation to see what we could do to help them with the project,” said Muscogee (Creek) Nation Secretary of Interior Affairs Jesse Allen.

Allen said they’re using money from a federal roads and transportation program to foot the bill, which will be just shy of $1 million. He said they’re glad to help out the folks living in and around Bristow.

“One of the reasons we want to partner with the counties, because this is a large expense. These types of projects and bridges are vital to the communities, so that’s why we felt this was a good project to be a part of,” said Allen.

The new bridge, expected to be finished in March, will be two lanes and 100 feet long. It will put an end to a six-mile detour for folks living in the area.