Roosevelt Bridge reopens after accident
(KTEN) — The Roosevelt Memorial Bridge over Lake Texoma was closed to traffic through much of the day Wednesday after an early-morning accident.
The front end of an 18-wheeler was hanging off the bridge after the crash around 3 a.m. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said that truck was attempting to avoid colliding with another vehicle when it jackknifed and crashed through a guardrail. Part of the cab of the truck was left hanging over edge of the bridge, but no one was hurt.
The Bryan County Sheriff's Office advised motorists to find alternative routes after the incident. Detours can add almost 40 miles to a journey.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation was called in to evaluate damage to the bridge. Repairs were made and the route was reopened to traffic around 3 p.m. Wednesday.
The narrow two-lane span carries US 70 over Lake Texoma for nearly two miles, providing the major link between Durant and Kingston, Oklahoma. Plans are being considered for either replacing or upgrading the Roosevelt Bridge, which dates back to 1942 and has structural and capacity shortcomings.
