Wanette–Byars Bridge
| Wanette–Byars Bridge | |
|---|---|
 A view through the bridge's portal | |
| Coordinates | 34°55′12″N 97°03′00″W / 34.92000°N 97.05000°W |
| Carries | 1 lane of Drummond Road |
| Crosses | Canadian River |
| Locale | Wanette-Byars, Oklahoma |
| Maintained by | McClain Co./Pottawatomie Co. |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Camelback truss |
| Total length | 780 feet (238 m) |
| Longest span | 265 feet (81 m) |
The Wanette–Byars Bridge is a long bridge in central Oklahoma. It crosses the Canadian River between Byars in McClain Co. and Wanette in Pottawatomie County. The bridge is on a county road, not a state-designated highway.
The bridge was built in 1902 by the American Bridge Company[1] to serve as a rail bridge connecting Pauls Valley with Shawnee.[2] It was later converted to a one-lane bridge for auto traffic. The bridge is of the camelback truss design and is composed of three spans, each 265 feet (81 m). Each of these spans are the longest in Oklahoma.[1]
Until 1992, the bridge had a wooden deck. In 1992, the bridge's deck was destroyed by arson, closing it for two years. When the bridge reopened, it had a concrete and asphalt driving surface.[2]
The bridge is an oft-utilized link between Byars and Wanette. The two nearest bridges are between fifteen and twenty-five miles (24–40 km) away.[2]
References
- 1 2 Kinsler, Wes. Wanette-Byars Bridge Across the Canadian River. Oklahoma Bridges. URL accessed 1 August 2006.
- 1 2 3 Wanette and Byars linked together for 100 years. The Purcell Register. 20 March 2003. URL accessed 1 August 2006.
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