US-77 James C. Nance Bridge Between Purcell and Lexington

Work is underway to replace the Purcell/Lexington bridge with a modern four-lane structure, shown here in this rendering.

About the Project

• This project will replace the US-77/SH-39 bridge over the South Canadian River and the BNSF railroad between Purcell and Lexington.
• The contract for the up to $38 million project that includes possible financial incentives for early completion was awarded to Webber, LLC of The Woodlands, Texas in September 2017.
• Work began in late 2017 and is expected to take about two years to complete.
• The new bridge will be a modern four-lane structure with shoulders and a bicycle/pedestrian path.
• The design of the new bridge incorporates aesthetic elements of the historic bridge structure, including reuse of some of the original railing on top of the bridge. Educational displays with information for the public about the old bridge will also be installed.

 Impact to Traffic

• The new structure will be built one half at a time, allowing US-77/SH-39 to remain open to traffic in each direction during construction.
• The 36 ton load posting was removed on Aug. 22 following opening of the first half of the new bridge and beginning of demolition of the old structure. There is a wide load restriction in place until the second half of the new bridge is completed.
• The speed limit is reduced in the work zone.
• There is no pedestrian access across the bridge until the second half of the new bridge is completed.

Historic photo of the Purcell/Lexington bridge from 1938. Source: Oklahoma Historical Society
 

Background

• The bridge was built in 1938 and is rated structurally deficient and functionally obsolete.
• Average daily traffic is about 10,000 vehicles per day.
• The bridge was closed for emergency repairs from Jan. 31 to June 13, 2014, and has been load posted at 36 tons since reopening.
• The bridge has been inspected at least once every six months since reopening.
• Materials from the April 2015 public meeting can be found here
• View the photo album on Facebook