Published: June 05, 2009 10:17 pm      

Agency begins bridge discussion

GUTHRIE — Officials from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation had a public meeting before a capacity crowd Thursday night in Guthrie to discuss a proposed project to replace the aging State Highway 33 bridge over Cottonwood Creek and Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad.

The meeting was at the First Christian Church and was moderated by Craig Moody, who works in ODOT’s Planning and Research Division.

Moody said the meeting was designed to keep the public informed of the project and involved in the decision-making process.

The S.H. 33 bridge over Cottonwood Creek was built in 1937 and an average of 11,500 vehicles travel this section of S.H. 33 daily. By 2030, it is estimated that 16,500 vehicles would travel over that section of highway daily, Moody said.

“We are simply in a study phase right now,” Moody said. “This bridge is rated critical. The bridge has been showing its age. It has a hodge-podge of pot-hole repairs.”

The goal of the proposed project is to improve the safety of the existing S.H. 33 bridge and BNSF railroad, reduce congestion on the highway and address flooding concerns in the area, he said.

ODOT is looking at all the possible options for the project, which could include replacing the bridge and widening sections of S.H. 33 from 19th Street to U.S. Highway 7, which is just more than a mile in length.

The state has budgeted about $1 million for right-of-way and utility changes, which would begin in 2011. Construction on the $5 million project would begin in 2013, Moody said.

Moody added no determination has been made on the width of the new bridge, which would have a life expectancy of 75 years.

“This is going to take time,” he said. “We are confident we can do this for the city and the citizens of Guthrie.”

Those attending the meeting were given a survey to fill out which asked residents to rate what they thought was the most important aspects of the project. The survey options ranged from replacement of the Cottonwood Bridge to alternate routes to keeping S.H. 33 open during construction.

Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, attended Thursday’s meeting. He said the replacement of the S.H. 33 bridge has been a top priority for him and Sen. Jim Halligan, R-Stillwater, whose district includes Guthrie.

“This is a big issue,” Murphey said. “There is a lot of need for this project.”

Moody said the proposed project would move faster and be cheaper if the bridge and roadway was closed for construction.

“If we kept the road open, the costs would rise significantly and take longer,” he said. “If it was closed it would be cheaper and we could do it for about half the price.”

Moody and other ODOT officials were peppered with questions from audience members during the hour-long meeting, including questions from concerned homeowners who live in the proposed project area.

“We will take good care of these folks if they are going to be affected,” Moody said.

ODOT plans to have several more meetings in the future in Guthrie to discuss the project.