State and local officials on Friday held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a new U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge in El Reno, Oklahoma, that pays tribute to the original span's Route 66 history. According to the El Reno Tribune, the ceremony for the new $10 million bridge included a performance by the … Continue reading New U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge that pays tribute to Route 66 opens in El Reno
Tag: Bridgeport
Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston is reopened after reconstruction
The historic Captain Creek Bridge along an alignment of Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma, recently reopened after the state's Department of Transportation improved and reconstructed the span using its original pony trusses. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association on Facebook noted the completion of the project: "Although the original 1932 trusses no longer support the bridge, … Continue reading Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston is reopened after reconstruction
How to update but preserve vital parts of a historic structure: the Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association posted on Facebook a very good example of how to update a historic bridge to modern standards, yet keep the essential elements that make it unique. Behold the work being done to the Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston, Oklahoma: https://www.facebook.com/OklahomaRoute66/posts/10158426691872775 Oklahoma also is updating the iconic William H. Murray Bridge, … Continue reading How to update but preserve vital parts of a historic structure: the Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston
Pony Bridge near Bridgeport added to National Register of Historic Places
The William H. Murray Bridge, better known as the iconic Pony Bridge along Route 66 near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, recently was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The act became official Dec. 4, according to a weekly email from the National Park Service. I had assumed the 3,990-foot span, which opened in 1934 over … Continue reading Pony Bridge near Bridgeport added to National Register of Historic Places
Oklahoma invites public comments on Pony Bridge redevelopment
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is asking for opinions on a future project to rehabilitate the U.S. 281 bridge, aka the Pony Bridge, over the South Canadian River near Bridgeport. The nearly 4,000-foot-long William H. Murray Bridge, built in 1934, is on the National Register of Historic Places and appeared in a scene of the … Continue reading Oklahoma invites public comments on Pony Bridge redevelopment
$22M federal grant will reconstruct Pony Bridge near Bridgeport
The U.S. Department of Transportation has given Oklahoma a $22 million grant to help rehab and reconstruct the historic Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, which includes keeping its distinctive yellow trusses. The Oklahoman newspaper in Oklahoma City reports: “The investment made by the U.S. Department of Transportation to help restore and upgrade Bridgeport Bridge is welcomed … Continue reading $22M federal grant will reconstruct Pony Bridge near Bridgeport
What’s being planned for the Pony Bridge near Bridgeport?
I recently received a news release from Route 66 The Road Ahead Partnership about how a historic preservation specialist on behalf of the organization weighed in on several proposals for the William H. Murray Bridge, aka Pony Bridge, near Bridgeport, Oklahoma. That led me to ask: What exactly are the proposals for the Pony Bridge? … Continue reading What’s being planned for the Pony Bridge near Bridgeport?
A trip down Oklahoma’s Route 66, circa 2009
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation recently began uploading videos to Vimeo, including this 17-minute trip down Route 66 in the Sooner State. It's not a recent video, as I noted a few things that apparently have changed since it was shot. The big totem pole at Totem Pole Park near Foyil has been repainted in … Continue reading A trip down Oklahoma’s Route 66, circa 2009
Oklahoma may close two Route 66 bridges, leave them as monuments
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 … Continue reading Oklahoma may close two Route 66 bridges, leave them as monuments
Seven historic Route 66 bridges in Oklahoma endangered
Historian and author Jim Ross, who's plugged into the goings-on with Oklahoma's Route 66 as well as anyone, posted this grim message Monday on Facebook. The gist of it is seven historic bridges on the Mother Road in Oklahoma are slated for replacement, but one -- the fabled Pony Bridge near Bridgeport -- likely will be saved and … Continue reading Seven historic Route 66 bridges in Oklahoma endangered