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Mayor details fireworks successes and gives timeline for bridge reopening; warns of detour speed limits
Summary
Mayor Steven R. Rose praised volunteers for a well-attended July 4 fireworks and boat parade, and said bridge reconstruction crews have poured bases and pillars but hit delays from rock and utility coordination; the highway is tentatively scheduled to reopen in September, and temporary speed limits were posted on detour routes.
Mayor Steven R. Rose opened the July 18 City Council meeting with a recap of July Fourth events and a construction update, saying the community turnout for the fireworks and boat parade was large despite a highway closure and hot weather and thanking police, Search and Rescue, fire department volunteers and Spring River Ambulance Service for traffic and safety support.
Rose said bridge-reconstruction crews have poured the base and pillars and installed roadway forms but encountered delays because of large amounts of rock and the need to coordinate with other utility companies. He set a tentative target of September for when the highway will be reopened, saying further progress will depend on weather and ongoing utility work.
The mayor also announced temporary traffic measures for detour routes: East Lakeshore Drive has a 15 mph limit from Sequoyah Ridge Road to Cherokee Road, and Okmulgee Drive is set at 30 mph. He urged drivers to exercise caution on the narrower streets that are serving as alternative routes.
A resident, Jan Madsen, raised a separate concern about a property on her street and asked about Code Enforcement involvement. Mayor Rose said the city’s Code Enforcement department is short-staffed at present and that the city is seeking hires to address staffing gaps; Council Member Rowland also raised concern about the issue.
The update leaves two clear next steps: the city will continue recruiting staff for code enforcement and other roles, and the bridge contractor will aim to complete work for a September highway reopening if weather and utility coordination allow. The council adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
