historic bridges

Oklahoma has a proud history of bridge construction, and a diverse geography in which to find these structures spanning large rivers, small streams, and dry creekbeds. Oklahoma's trusses, arches, and New Deal structures have been studied and evaluated for National Register of Historic Places significance.  The results of these studies are linked below.  

ODOT-CRP has also recently compiled the complete listing of Oklahoma's historic bridges into ODOT's ArcGIS Online Master Roadway and Bridge Data viewer. A complete mapped inventory of Oklahoma's bridges listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places can be found here:
Visit our interactive map to learn about historic truss and arch bridges and historic depression-era bridges and roadway.

Our program is preparing a story map to showcase Oklahoma’s historic bridges. You can view a beta version of the developing app by clicking the linked text.
Picture
http://okdot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=e8fd96f27e7b4cc9814719235eabd37d

Bridge studies

OKlahoma historic bridge survey: Spans of time - Oklahoma Historic Highway bridges (trusses and arches)

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Program Comment Regarding Post-1945 Concrete and Steel Bridges

HISTORIC BRIDGE NARRATIVES
(HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORDS)

  • ​While USDOT agencies have substantive regulatory requirements for environmental review of historic bridges, often times bridges are functionally obsolete or structurally deficient and are not able to be rehabilitated to sufficient standards.  In these instances, replacement of the structure and/or removal of the bridge from the transportation system is the most feasible and prudent alternative.  ODOT routinely produces historic bridge narratives and photographic documentation as mitigation for adverse effects to bridges eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.  While new bridges have been, or will be, constructed for these projects, counties and local landowners often agree to leave many of these bridges in place.
  • Did you know that ODOT has historic bridges available free to a good home? These historic bridges are available for relocation. This effort provides an alternative to demolition of the Oklahoma’s historic bridges when they are replaced with safer, modern structures. The bridges have been determined to be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, in most cases because they are representative examples of certain types of steel truss bridges. Many of the smaller truss bridges are ideal for light pedestrian use along trials, or in public parks. Additional information on ODOT's bridge marketing program can be found here or in this Preservation Oklahoma News article from January 2013. You can also contact Scott Sundermeyer at 405.325.7201 for more information. 
Context Sensitive Solutions: A Bridge Replacement Project near Meers