Toby Keith Expressway Bridge Beam Raising

OTA’s contractor used a 1,200-ton crane and air thruster technology on July 8 to successfully move the first bridge beam onto the piers across the South Canadian River near Newcastle as part of a nearly $98 million bridge project for the Toby Keith Expressway. This was the first time this technology was used on an Oklahoma bridge project to help rotate and stabilize a 450,000-pound bridge beam while the crane positioned it into place over the river. This technique was chosen specifically to keep equipment and personnel outside of the river's channel, which is one of many ways OTA is working to protect and preserve the Canadian River and environment during this construction project. This technology will be used to place all of the bridge beams that span directly above the river. Captions available in 2-3 business days.