SH-33over Cottonwood Creek in Guthrie

• SH-33is widened to four lanes between 12th St. and Division St. in Guthrie and the Guthrie Viaduct over Cottonwood Creek has been reconstructed and widened.
  
  
• The existing bridge spans from Seventh St. to just east of the BNSF railroad tracks and currently is nearly 700 feet in length.
  
  
• The new bridge will be lengthened to just more than 1,600 feet to help alleviate flooding issues prone to this area. At its highest point, the bridge is 40 feet tall.
  
  
• $17 million contract was awarded October 2016 to Manhattan Road & Bridge Co. of Tulsa.
  
  
• Work started Jan. 30, 2017, and the bridge opened to traffic Dec. 4, 2018, however, remaining amenities such as lighting, painting, sidewalks and driveways are being completed this year.
  
  
• Access to SH-33 from eight city streets between Second St. and 10thSt.are permanently closed because foot traffic is rerouted to the new sidewalks on the bridge and to keep traffic clear of railroad right-of-way.
  
  
• 12,500 vehicles a day cross the bridge, according to 2015 data.
  
  
• 16,800 vehicles a day are expected to cross the bridge by 2036.
  
  
• The reconstructed bridge will feature several aesthetic elements that will complement Guthrie's historic downtown including arches, decorative light poles and stained concrete beams and10-foot pedestrian walkways in each direction linking downtown with nearby residential and park areas.
  
  
  More than 12,000 vehicles a day cross the SH-33 bridge over Cottonwood Creek in Guthrie. This photo shows the more than 80-year-oldGuthrie Viaduct before construction began in 2017.

• The Guthrie Viaduct was built in 1936 under the U.S. Works Program. This was the fourth bridge built in the location.
  
  
• The more than 80-year-old bridge was structurally deficient, meaning it remained safe for traffic but required significant maintenance to remain in service, and was in need of replacement.
  
  
• ODOT spent about a quarter of a million dollars annually to maintain the bridge and keep it open. Holes frequently opened on the existing bridge deck, which required immediate repair.
  
  
• The earliest bridge over Cottonwood Creek in Guthrie was a single foot log placed in early1889. It was followed in late 1889by a timber truss bridge, which eventually washed out due to repeated flooding in the area.
  
  
• A steel truss bridge was constructed in 1905 but was closed to traffic by 1920.
  
  
• The double deckerbridge built in 1936was unique among bridges in Oklahoma and allowed pedestrian access on the bottom deck.

Pictured are, from left, Stillwater Resident Engineer Matt Mitchell, Guthrie Mayor Steven J. Gentling, ODOT Executive Director Mike Patterson, former state Sen. AJ Griffin, Ginger Gumerson-Simpson, Gregg Gumerson, Manhattan Road & Bridge project manager Landry Logan and ODOT Division 4 Engineer Brian Taylor.

Ribbon Cutting Event

• More than 150 people gathered on top of the bridge Dec. 4, 2018, to celebrate the new four-lanebridge opening to traffic.
  
  
• Former Sen. AJ Griffin and former Rep. Jason Murpheysponsored 2014 legislation naming it as the Mayor Jon Gumerson Memorial Bridge. Gumerson was a Guthrie mayor and lifelong resident and the memorial designationhighlights his commitment to the community before his passing in 2012. The new memorial signs were dedicated at the ribbon cutting event.
  
  
• LOOK for more photos of the ribboncutting event on Facebook or read thepress release.

Guthrie Mayor Steven J. Gentling autographs a replica of the Mayor Jon GumersonMemorial Bridge sign for Gumerson'sfamily at the Dec. 4 event.

Project Updates

SH33 & Cottonwood Creek Update from ODOT on Vimeo.

Check out this view of the construction of the new SH-33bridge over Cottonwood Creek from June 2017.

RESOURCES

• SEE the details from the May 2012public involvement meeting for the project.