One of the most iconic bridges in Oklahoma earned an Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Oklahoma (ACEC OK). The U.S. 281/Route 66 Bridgeport Bridge underwent extensive rehabilitation of the historic structure, opening to the public in May 2024 – two years ahead of schedule and prior to the 2026 centennial anniversary of Route 66.
As lead designer, STV developed the first highway bridge in Oklahoma to use full-depth precast concrete deck panels and Ultra-High Performance Concrete joints. During the planning stage, STV provided reconnaissance data collection, stakeholder coordination, and an Alternatives Analysis Report study. The widened, 4,000-foot-long bridge can now safely carry more vehicles across the South Canadian River.
The bridge has brought travelers and Oklahomans across the South Canadian River since 1933, serving as a vital passage for people migrating out West during the Dust Bowl. It even played a part in the film production of 1940’sThe Grapes of Wrath. After 90 years of use and increasing traffic, the bridge was nearly shut down. However, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) sought to rehabilitate it and enhance safety for motorists by widening the structure to accommodate larger vehicles and trucks.
ODOT considered several alternatives for the bridge’s future, including complete demolition and replacement or building another bridge nearby while the existing one remained as a pedestrian-only monument.
Through collaboration with historic preservation and community groups, as well as STV and contractor Oklahoma Bridge Company, Inc. (OBC), ODOT selected the design that preserved the pony truss spans, which were originally load bearing and now serve as aesthetic, non-structural elements.
In 2024, Roads and Bridges Magazine named Bridgeport Bridge to its Top 10 Bridges list, recognizing both the engineering achievements and the bridge’s role in Oklahoma and Route 66 history. STV also designed a parking lot and kiosk that abuts the bridge, allowing for travelers and Route 66 enthusiasts to spend more time with the historic structure – a unique feature as tourism leads as the third largest economy in Oklahoma.
