I attended the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) public meeting held in Bernice last week. The purpose was to present the proposed design of the new bridge over Horse Creek on State Highway 85A in the Town of Bernice. A new bridge is needed to correct the structurally deficient bridge we presently have. ODOT wanted to obtain public input to aid them in moving forward with the completion of the environmental studies, design and subsequent construction.
ODOT BERNICE BRIDGE OPTIONS
We learned placing the new bridge on the north side of the existing bridge is much easier and faster than putting it on the south side due to very stringent federal regulations because the fishing pier and state park, both on the south side, were constructed with some federal money. ODOT promised to preserve the Marina, restaurant and the heated fishing dock and also to construct the bridge in a manner to disturb the fishing as little as possible.
There were a lot of excellent questions and suggestions from the citizens. Suggestions included, among others: a sidewalk on the bridge, leaving a portion of the old bridge for fishing purposes, raising the height of the bridge to allow more boats to pass during high water (some opposed this idea) and improve parking for fisherman at the bridge.
I have asked the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and the Oklahoma Department of Fisheries to provide us more information on how they think the construction process will affect the crappie and white bass fishing in the immediate area.
The total cost of the new bridge will be approximately $7.7 million. One lane of traffic will be open during the entire construction, which will take approximately 9-10 months once it begins. Construction is scheduled to start in 2018. The bridge will have two 12-foot-wide lanes with 10-foot-wide shoulders.
Thanks to everyone who came out to the meeting. The final design is still a work in progress, and I am sure many of our citizens’ ideas will be incorporated into the final plan to the extent possible while satisfying rules and regulations of the numerous state and federal agencies involved, which is yet another example of too many federal regulations and rules slowing projects and driving up costs.
Of course, not everyone in attendance will get their wish. The bridge will be too high for some and not high enough for others. Most would like to see it on the south side of the old bridge, but instead it will extend to the north. Some will say it is not worth the inconvenience while others can’t wait to see it completed.
All of this is yet another illustration of the citizen input and compromise that makes our country and democracy work. It is a slow process at times, but it is a wonderful thing.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your state representative. I can be reached at dougcox@okhouse.gov or 405-557-7415.
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