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Bridges Declared Safe Following Quake

Bridges in Oklahoma are safe to travel after Saturday’s 5.6 magnitude earthquake.

Department of Transportation Director Mike Patterson says his crews inspected more than 180 bridges in Oklahoma.

"There were three field divisions that responded out of Tulsa, Perry and Buffalo to get those bridges inspected and provide some safe confidence to the traveling public that everything was okay."

In all the crews managed to complete an in depth look at all the bridges about five hours after the quake.

"The deck is in good shape, the superstructure is still strong and able to carry the load. But, you're looking at the smaller components like the bearings on steel bridges and making sure that the concrete is still intact and that there are no structural cracks."

Patterson says the crews found only two cosmetic issues, but no structural problems.

He says one reason for the safe bridges is the work over the past few years to repair and replace Oklahoma’s structurally deficient structures.

Michael Cross is the host of KOSU's Morning Edition.
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