Bridge damaged by 2015 flooding to be replaced

ADA — Pontotoc County commissioners have received the goahead from Federal Emergency Management Agency officials to begin construction on a new bridge to replace a structure washed out by heavy flooding.

The road has remained closed since the wooden bridge, located about seven miles south of Ada on County Road 3550, was washed out during heavy rains and flooding in summer 2015.

District 3 Commissioner Justin Roberts said the new bridge will cost the county $165,000 to build. The county will have to pay the initial cost of construction, but that cost will be partially reimbursed by FEMA.

Roberts said FEMA will reimburse 75 percent of the construction costs, and the state of Oklahoma will reimburse an additional 12.5 percent, leaving the county responsible for an estimated $20,625 in construction costs.

The contract to build the new bridge was awarded Monday to The Railroad Yard Inc.

Railroad Yard Material and Construction Services Specialist Mark Downey said what’s left of the existing bridge debris will have to be completely removed, and a new steel substructure with a concrete deck will be built in its place.

Downey said construction will begin within 45 to 60 days and, barring any weather-related delays, will take 30 to 45 days to complete.