KINGSTON, OK — The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and its design-build team gathered with federal, state, and local officials at Lake Texoma State Park to mark the beginning of the US-70 Roosevelt Bridge replacement project.
The more than $408 million project will replace the 80-year-old bridge connecting Bryan and Marshall counties over Lake Texoma to improve the safety and reliability of the corridor. US-70 is an important regional connector between southern Oklahoma, northern Texas, and southern Arkansas, carrying more than 11,000 vehicles each day. These improvements will support the continued growth of this area, including travel, tourism, and economic activity along the multi-state corridor.
Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation and ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz emceed the groundbreaking event and was joined by Sean McMaster, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Senator James Lankford, and Zachry Construction/Traylor Bros., the design-build team. Sharing in the celebration were state legislators, county, local, and tribal officials and community members.
“We celebrate long-awaited promises delivered for a stronger, more connected future for this region, its communities, and the many residents and visitors who rely on this bridge,” Gatz said. “This monumental project represents what we can accomplish when we come together with a shared commitment to building a stronger state and a stronger future for those who come after us.”
The bridge project is being funded through a combination of federal and state investment, including a $124 million Large Bridge Project award through the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Investment Program.
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“The replacement of the US-70 Roosevelt Bridge is exactly the type of project the Federal Highway Administration is excited to support: modernizing critical infrastructure, enhancing public safety, and maintaining vital economic lifelines for local communities," McMaster said. "By leveraging targeted federal funding like the Bridge Investment Program alongside strong state partnerships, this project replaces an 80-year-old structure with a modern design built for generations, ensuring long-term reliability and growth for Oklahoma.”
The US-70 Roosevelt Bridge replacement project will include:
- Construction of a new four-lane bridge across Lake Texoma
- Improvements to roadway approaches along US-70
- Enhanced safety features, such as full shoulders, lighting, and pedestrian path
- Coordination with local communities and regional partners throughout construction
Zachry Construction and Traylor Bros. are leading the design-build team, which brings extensive experience delivering large-scale bridge and infrastructure projects across the country. The team was determined through a competitive procurement process using a unique “modified progressive design-build” project delivery method. It is the first time this approach has been used in Oklahoma by ODOT.
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Initial work at the project site is already underway. ODOT has been and will continue working closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address environmental considerations associated with the project.
The current bridge will remain open during construction. The new bridge is anticipated to be completed in fall 2029.
