I-244 multimodal bridges project honored by ACEC-Oklahoma

The first two-level multimodal bridge in Oklahoma has received an Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Oklahoma. The I-244 multimodal bridges over the Arkansas River provide a major route through Tulsa County with modern transportation facilities for highway, rail, and pedestrian traffic that help spark further economic development.

One of four Arkansas River crossings in Tulsa County, the new I-244 multimodal bridges carry approximately 80,000 vehicles per day and replaced the old structures that had been deemed structurally deficient and cost the Oklahoma Department of Transportation $1.1 million annually in maintenance.

Garver served as prime consultant for the preliminary engineering report and final design of the project, while performing the majority of the bridge engineering, highway design, rail engineering, lighting, and traffic engineering. Garver also provided conceptual design data that was included in the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grant application, and coordinated with a project artist to incorporate aesthetic items to both bridges.

“These represent a significant improvement to the mobility of Tulsa County,” said Garver Bridge Team Leader Jason Langhammer said. “The new bridges not only save ODOT millions in annual maintenance fees, but they provide the area with expanded routes in and out of downtown Tulsa.”

The 3,300-foot long westbound bridge consists of four highway lanes on the upper level, and one high-speed rail line, one light rail line, and pedestrian traffic access on the lower level. The 3,000-foot long eastbound bridge also consists of four lanes for highway traffic on the upper level, and a pedestrian bridge on the lower level with an overlook area.

The project required Garver to overcome several design challenges, such as providing rail capabilities at existing ground level while providing a highway bridge at an elevated level, hydraulic adequacy, constructability, and maintaining the existing traffic volume.

To learn more about what Garver’s Transportation Team can do for you, visit GarverUSA.com/Transportation.