In mid-May of 2019, we were forced to close the Chikaskia River bridge due to erosion of the west bound lane caused by the two-record crestings of the river.

In May of 2015, the newly opened overflow bridge sustained considerable scouring (erosion) under the bridge. This was repaired with minable closure of the road but has been an ongoing scouring issue even more so with the flood of 2019. Some say it was a mistake to build this bridge and even contributed to the current closure. If that was the case, then we try to learn from our mistakes.

On June 5, 2020 we were approved nearly 13 million dollars from the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) to rebuild this section of Hubbard Road.

In August of 2020, a panel of four chose EST Inc.,an engineering firm from Oklahoma City to be recommended to ODOT (Oklahoma Department of Transportation) to be the engineer on this project. In October of 2021, ODOT has awarded the engineering contract to EST Inc. Since then, the field surveying has been completed and is now being processed. Once this is completed the hydraulic study of the river flow will begin. This should be completed by the end of January 2022. After that the lengthiest study will take place. The environmental study will take approximately 8 months to complete .

When all the studies are compiled then ODOT and EST Inc. will design and determine the span of a new bridge. Early speculation is that the two existing bridges will be replaced by one.

Actual construction will begin in 2024, if not sooner.

Between mother nature and vandalism, District #1 and #3 strive to keep our signage in place warning the public that this section of Hubbard Road is closed.

I know that it has been an inconvenience for the 2,300 vehicles per day that would commute on this road but please bear with us as work is being done, even though we can’t see it.

Sincerely,

Jack Godberson

Kay County Dist. #1 Commissioner