US-70 over Lake Texoma (Roosevelt Bridge)
JP 33873(04) Bryan & Marshall Counties
Project Location
The project includes US-70 between State Park Road in Bryan County and Johnson Creek Road in Marshall County, including the bridge over Lake Texoma.
Purpose and Need
The purpose of the project is to provide a safe crossing on US-70 over Lake Texoma that accommodates current and future traffic demand.
The existing bridge is at risk of becoming structurally deficient, meaning it does not meet today’s standards.
The bridge is narrow and has low clearance at the truss span.
Existing Conditions
- Bridge Condition – the bridge has deficiencies related to the condition of the deck, beams, and railings.
- Safety – ODOT looked at the collision history of the area and found an elevated rate of severe collisions.
- Capacity – when future development is considered, a four-lane highway and bridge will be necessary to carry future traffic volumes.
History of the Bridge
The existing bridge (known as the Roosevelt Bridge) was constructed in 1945 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide a crossing of the newly created Lake Texoma.
The metal truss span over the main channel is a Warren through-truss and is the only example of this type remaining in Oklahoma on a vehicular bridge.
For these reasons, the Roosevelt Bridge is considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), meaning it is a significant historic site.
Section 4(f)
Section 4(f) refers to a section of the Department of Transportation Act. Section 4(f) protects parks, recreational areas, wildlife refuges, and significant historic sites. Because it is a significant historic site, the Roosevelt Bridge is considered a Section 4(f) resource. Section 4(f) requires that ODOT look at options to build the project while preserving the existing bridge. Only if these alternatives are found not prudent or feasible can ODOT consider replacing the bridge.
For more on Section 4(f), refer to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) website: Section 4(f) Overview (dot.gov)
Section 4(f) Alternatives
The Section 4(f) Alternatives are alternatives that preserve the historic integrity of the existing bridge. ODOT looked at seven alternatives consistent with FHWA guidance as shown in the table. The table below shows how each alternative would maintain the existing bridge and in some cases build new bridges. For more detail on the Section 4(f) Alternatives, go to the Section 4(f) Alternatives page on the project website.
If none of the Section 4(f) Alternatives are found to be prudent or feasible, then ODOT will consider Replacement Alternatives.
Replacement Alternatives
ODOT studied a large number of alternatives for replacing the Roosevelt Bridge, including partial offset alignments, full offset alignments, and a new alignment.
There are eleven (11) Replacement Alternatives that were studied in detail, grouped into four (4) general alignments, with differences in how the existing causeway is affected and the use of retaining walls. The existing bridge would be removed under all of these alternatives. For more detail on the Replacement Alternatives, go to the Replacement Alternatives page on the project website.
Next Steps and Timeline
After all public comments are received and considered by ODOT, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will make a determination on whether any of the Section 4(f) Alternatives are prudent and feasible. If so, that alternative will be selected for the project. If not, ODOT will select one of the Replacement Alternatives.
Once an alternative is selected, the project will be designed and the environmental process will be completed. Currently, ODOT is planning to begin right-of-way negotiations in 2025. Construction is currently programmed in 2029, but the project is not fully funded. Because of the high cost of the project, construction is dependent on ODOT identifying additional funding sources. If additional funding is identified the project could be completed sooner.