The Oklahoma Department of Transportation likely will close two historic and unique Route 66 bridges because of deterioration, but it is considering keeping the structures as monuments to travelers, according to a report from a television station and an Oklahoma Route 66 historian.
The state’s bridge plan calls for replacing several bridges on Route 66 in the coming years — two of which are architecturally unique.
The big one is the fabled Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, used in a scene in the Oscar-winning film “The Grapes of Wrath” and considered one of the crown jewels of Route 66.
Oklahoma Route 66 historian and author Jim Ross wrote in a Facebook post Thursday about a meeting with ODOT at the Oklahoma History Center:
There was a long and convincing presentation regarding deterioration of the Pony Bridge that no level of maintenance could have prevented. The bridge is almost 90 years old and there are many issues, particularly dealing with steel deck beams and gusset plates that are bowed due to the stress of tension and compression and the fact that engineers in the 1930s understood a lot less than now when designing such structures.
To fix all this would basically require tearing it down and starting over. They had solid documentation of maintenance and repairs done at considerable expense over many years, but it has been a losing battle. The evidence they presented made it clear that they do not want the bridge to remain open to traffic after it is replaced. To do so would require a continuance of the costly maintenance as well as winter treatments, which involve salt, further shortening its life.
The good news is that they seem committed to keeping it as a monument, possibly with a park and opening it up for special events. They will retain ownership and keep it looking right. The choice of options for a new bridge/alignment will be decided in early 2017. There will be a public meeting about it this fall. McJerry and I both felt that the ultimate outcome will be a win for all involved.
A series of follow-up posts said one of the options is retaining the Pony Bridge as a pedestrian bridge, much like the popular Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis.
The Pony Bridge this year was added to Preservation Oklahoma’s Most Endangered Historic Places list.
The Pony Bridge, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, spans more than 3,900 feet and consists of 38 “pony” trusses, hence its nickname.
The other architecturally significant span is the Horse Creek Bridge near Afton, the only such bridge in the state with pedestrian walkways.
KOTV in Tulsa reported ODOT also is considering bypassing the bridge but keeping it as a monument to Route 66.
“We always have to look at alternatives to the replacement of the bridge which is a full rehab, we also look at a one way pair, leaving it in place as a monument or as a pedestrian facility where it won’t carry vehicular traffic,” says ODOT official Scott Sundermeyer.
ODOT is still considering its options and no decision has been made.
The Horse Creek Bridge near Afton was built in 1936 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
If you’re planning a Route 66 trip in 2017, you probably still will have a chance to drive over these bridges. After that, all bets are off.
However, it’s very good news the state is considering keeping these bridges around for the enjoyment of future travelers.
(Image of the Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, by Sylvain L. via Flickr; image of the Horse Creek Bridge near Afton via Google Street View)
That seems like a good compromise for the pony bridge. At least it will still exist for us to see and walk on like the Chain of Rocks bridge.
Drove over both these great bridges in my Fiat Panda in 2001 and 2006. Happy memories!
Would love to get to both before they close, but given the distance from Detroit, the odds are not good.
I agree with Keith Z…this is probably the best compromise we are likely to get.
I am quite familiar with the Pony Bridge since I cross it every day. This bridge has been well maintained over the years, but the problem has been the large amount of big truck traffic crossing it on a daily basis. I have seen oversized trucks with pilot cars, Fedex trucks with tandem trailers, semi-trucks of every size, tankers, oil field equipment trucks, etc. cross this bridge on a regular basis. None of these trucks had any reason to be there. They could have easily stayed on I-40 and then taken 281 to their destination. Only recently, did the Transportation Dept. post signs restricting traffic to 15,000 pounds or less. If they had put a weight limit on it 10 years or so when the deck was last replaced, this bridge could have lasted a lot longer.