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Commission programs repairs for two damaged bridges; Tulsa bridge fire linked to homeless encampment
Summary
The Transportation Commission approved programming repair projects for two bridges: I-40 frontage road bridge over Timber Creek and a bridge on I-44 over Mingo Creek damaged by fire. ODOT said the Tulsa repair stems from a fire under the bridge at a homeless encampment and estimated costs of $250,000 and $330,000 respectively.
The Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved programming two bridge-repair projects: repair of impact damage to the I-40 frontage road bridge over Timber Creek in Beckham County and repair of fire damage to the I-44 ramp bridge over Mingo Creek at East 21st Street in Tulsa County.
ODOT staff presented the projects and estimated costs: $250,000 for the Timber Creek bridge repair using state-aid funds and $330,000 for the repair of the I-44 ramp bridge, also using state funds. The Timber Creek project is scheduled to be ready for the May 2025 letting; the Tulsa repair project was also presented as ready for the May 2025 letting. ODOT staff said the party responsible for the Timber Creek damage is noted (not specified), and that the party responsible for the Tulsa fire damage is unknown.
Mr. Hernandez described both requests as bridge repair programming and recommended approval. Commissioners moved and the motion passed. The votes recorded in the meeting show the commission approved programming both repair projects for future contract letting; no construction contracts were awarded at this meeting.
Director Tim Gatz described the I-44, East 21st Street bridge fire as the second time that structure had been damaged by fire. He said the department was committed to protecting infrastructure and stressed the public-safety implications of fires under bridges. "This is not only a cost to the taxpayers of the state, it's a safety concern," Gatz said. He noted ODOT is not an enforcement entity and said the department will work with communities and local governments "to try to make a difference on problems like this."
In questions following the director's remarks, a commissioner asked whether damage under bridges included other types of harm besides fire. Staff answered that ODOT routinely deals with cleanup and minor repairs and that, in the Tulsa case, the damage from fire was at a larger scale. Staff described "hostile architecture" as one possible mitigation approach to discouraging occupation under bridges but said outreach and partnerships with local governments are also necessary.
The commission's action programs the repairs and schedules them for procurement; the items did not authorize construction contracts at this meeting. ODOT estimated both projects would be ready for May 2025 letting and recommended the use of state aid/state funds for the repairs.
