One down, 37 to go.
The first of 38 trusses salvaged from the landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, was reinstalled Thursday as part of the span’s reconstruction, reported the Oklahoma Route 66 Association.
Here are a couple of photos from the event:
The bridge project reportedly is ahead of schedule — to the point where the association already is planning a reopening event.
Construction began shortly after state officials closed the bridge in October 2022. They expected at least two years for the project.
But if it’s ahead of schedule, perhaps a summer or fall opening remains possible.
The narrow bridge’s deck was widened, but its 38 trusses were saved so they could later be reinstalled so the span could keep its distinctive look. The project was projected to cost $35 million in state and federal funds.
The Pony Bridge, aka the William H. Murray Bridge, remains one of Route 66’s most iconic spans. Built in 1934, it stretches more than 3,900 feet over the South Canadian River and consists of the 38 yellow “pony” trusses, hence its nickname.
The bridge appears in the 1939 Oscar-winning film “The Grapes of Wrath.” In 2016, the bridge appeared on Preservation Oklahoma’s Most Endangered Historic Places list.
UPDATE: The Oklahoma Route 66 Association today published a detailed story about the project.
—
What happened to the photograph? There is a large blank where it should be? Can the item be reposted with the photp?
It’s there. I would advise refreshing your browser.