CHICKASHA – Reconstruction of the twin bridges on US-62/US-277/SH-9 over the Washita River in Chickasha, just east of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike/Interstate 44, is well underway.
US-62/US-277/SH-9 has been narrowed to one lane in each direction at the river crossing. In addition, flaggers have briefly and intermittently stopped eastbound and westbound traffic at the location during the first phase of bridge beam placement on the new eastbound bridge.
After construction of the eastbound bridge is finished, all traffic will be shifted to the new structure and the existing westbound bridge will be demolished and rebuilt in the same manner, said Cody Boyd of the Media and Public Relations Division of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
The highway remains open to traffic during the project. Drivers can expect delays and should be prepared to stop or use an alternate route, Boyd said. No closures of the ramps at I-44/HEB Turnpike are planned during construction, he said.
The state Transportation Commission awarded a $12.5 million contract on the bridge replacement job to Manhattan Road and Bridge Co. of Tulsa. The work is expected to continue through summer 2022, Boyd said.
Average traffic volume on US-62 a short distance southeast of the river crossing was 11,600 vehicles per day in 2019, ODOT records show.