An iconic bridge along historic Route 66 in Oklahoma has reopened to traffic.
State and transportation officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the completion of the $35 million reconstruction project of the William H. Murray Bridge, also known as the Bridgeport Pony Bridge in Caddo County.
Friday’s ceremony brought in scores of classic car enthusiasts and out-of-state travelers commemorating the occasion with an official First Crossing.
For the past 18 months, construction crews worked to modernize and widen the bridge over the South Canadian River, all while taking care to maintain its timeless look. According to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, the iconic pony trusses were removed, rehabilitated and re-attached to a modern bridge deck.
Additionally, a new scenic turnout was built on the side of the bridge.
The original Pony Bridge was built in 1933. Because the river it spanned was known for being unpredictable and shifted regularly, an extra-long bridge was needed, according to the association. The completed bridge was 3,944 feet long and consisted of 38 Camelback pony trusses.
The bridge was also featured in the film The Grapes of Wrath.
