ENGINEER DESCRIBES PLANS FOR THE REPLACEMENT BRIDGE

Garver Engineering of Tulsa’s Design Engineer Matthew Youngblood discussed plans for the replacement bridge during the July 13 meeting.

The Transportation Department will replace the existing bridges with a single longer bridge spanning from the west to east over both rivers and the peninsula in between. U.S. 60 will be raised about 25 feet at the pinnacle at the peninsula to improve the steep grade intersection with SH 137. The rails on the bridge will be about 3-½ feet tall to help prevent accidents.

The plan addresses “both bridges, improves the grade and safety on SH 137 and of U.S. 60, and it balances costs and minimizes impacts to the properties impacted and the environment,” Youngblood said.

An elevated T-intersection shifted east from the existing intersection is part of the plan and includes turn lanes at the intersection, a safety rail, fill and sloped embankments. This will shift all marina access to SH 137, which will pass under the new bridge, and reconstructs the curve to the west on U.S. 60.

This plan allows for stages of construction and will allow the Transportation Department to maintain two lanes of traffic throughout the anticipated 18 months of construction on the project on U.S. 60 and some closure of SH 137, which could last six months.

The Twin Bridges Marina and Park access will be open at all times but may require a detour during construction.