Pony Bridge renovations may be complete by mid-April to early May

The reconstruction of the landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, will be finished by mid-April to early May, a project supervisor recently told an Oklahoma City television station. A KFOR-TV reporter went to the site, where workers were busy reinstalling the pony truss sections on the bridge on what was anticipated to be a two-year … Continue reading Pony Bridge renovations may be complete by mid-April to early May

One of the trusses is reinstalled on landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport

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 … Continue reading One of the trusses is reinstalled on landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport

Take a look at the ongoing Pony Bridge project near Bridgeport

Recent drone footage has surfaced of the ongoing efforts to tear down and reconstruct the iconic Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, into a safer and more modern span. The clip, uploaded on Dec. 18 by West OK Overland, shows construction crews have dismantled about half of the Route 66 bridge over the South Canadian River … Continue reading Take a look at the ongoing Pony Bridge project near Bridgeport

Groundbreaking ceremony held for two-year project to replace Pony Bridge near Bridgeport

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation on Wednesday held a groundbreaking ceremony on a two-year, $35 million project to widen the historic Pony Bridge near Bridgeport but preserve the span's distinctive pony trusses. ODOT sent out this tweet from the scene: Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell & Oklahoma History Center Director Trait Thompson joined Secretary of Transportation … Continue reading Groundbreaking ceremony held for two-year project to replace Pony Bridge near Bridgeport

Pony Bridge in western Oklahoma to close on Oct. 31 for at least two years

The landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, will be closed to traffic for at least two years next Monday as it undergoes extensive improvements that will preserve it distinctive trusses. Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin announced the imminent closure in an email Friday: We have known this day is coming for a long … Continue reading Pony Bridge in western Oklahoma to close on Oct. 31 for at least two years

Reconstruction of Pony Bridge near Bridgeport won’t start until June

Those traveling Route 66 during the first half of 2022 have good news: The reconstruction project that will close the Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, for at least two years won't begin until June. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association on Facebook passed along the Oklahoma Department of Transportation's updated word about the bridge project this … Continue reading Reconstruction of Pony Bridge near Bridgeport won’t start until June

New U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge that pays tribute to Route 66 opens in El Reno

State and local officials on Friday held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a new U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge in El Reno, Oklahoma, that pays tribute to the original span's Route 66 history. According to the El Reno Tribune, the ceremony for the new $10 million bridge included a performance by the … Continue reading New U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge that pays tribute to Route 66 opens in El Reno

Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston is reopened after reconstruction

The historic Captain Creek Bridge along an alignment of Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma, recently reopened after the state's Department of Transportation improved and reconstructed the span using its original pony trusses. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association on Facebook noted the completion of the project: "Although the original 1932 trusses no longer support the bridge, … Continue reading Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston is reopened after reconstruction

How to update but preserve vital parts of a historic structure: the Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association posted on Facebook a very good example of how to update a historic bridge to modern standards, yet keep the essential elements that make it unique. Behold the work being done to the Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston, Oklahoma: https://www.facebook.com/OklahomaRoute66/posts/10158426691872775 Oklahoma also is updating the iconic William H. Murray Bridge, … Continue reading How to update but preserve vital parts of a historic structure: the Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston

Pony Bridge near Bridgeport added to National Register of Historic Places

The William H. Murray Bridge, better known as the iconic Pony Bridge along Route 66 near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, recently was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The act became official Dec. 4, according to a weekly email from the National Park Service. I had assumed the 3,990-foot span, which opened in 1934 over … Continue reading Pony Bridge near Bridgeport added to National Register of Historic Places