ODOT gives update on U.S. 59 bridge

At Monday’s Transportation Commission meeting, ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz updated commissioners on the U.S. 59 bridge that was struck by an errant barge on March 30.

The bridge is on the eastern side of the Robert S. Kerr Reservoir at the Sequoyah/LeFlore county line south of Sallisaw.

Bridge Engineer Justin Hernandez assured commissioners the bridge was safe, since it was built to heightened vessel impact standards to withstand such an event.

Initial inspections concluded the damage was su...