Oklahoma Department of Transportation: I-25 Historic Route 66 Bridge at Captain Creek

Oklahoma DOT increased safety through an upgraded bridge project while simultaneously preserving the history of the previous structure.

The Oklahoma DOT’s $2.4 million project on a segment of Historic Route 66 in Wellston – just 30 minutes northeast of Oklahoma City – replaced a Great Depression-era truss bridge over Captain Creek that had significant structural deficiencies and had been “load-posted” for years. The 90-year-old pony truss bridge over Captain Creek was an outdated design with significant structural deficiencies that needed replacing to support modern traffic, but in such a way to preserve the bridge’s iconic “Route 66” look. Through collaboration with Route 66 organizations and other stakeholders, Oklahoma DOT came up with a unique solution to accomplish these dual objectives. Work crews carefully removed, refurbished, and incorporated original truss panels and bridge railings into the new structure as decorative elements – providing a unique look and feel that honored its Route 66 heritage while delivering a modern and reliable bridge.

Removing truss from Bridge moving truss with crane Captain Creek SH-66B  Matthew Helton Wewoka Residency Captain Creek Wellston Mother Road National Register of Historic Places The project design for the Captain Creek bridge is the template for the Bridgeport Bridge BUILD Grant.  ODOT received a $22 million grant for the Bridgeport Bridge.  The project design for the Captain Creek bridge is the template for the Bridgeport Bridge BUILD Grant.