Lucas Applauds $22 Million BUILD Grant Improving Historic Route 66 Bridge Crossing Canadian River

Cheyenne, OK – Today, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) applauded the announcement that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will receive a $22 million BUILD Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to make improvements and reconstruct the historic, two-lane Bridgeport Bridge on US-281/Route 66 in Oklahoma’s Caddo and Canadian Counties.

In May, Lucas joined U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao in support of the project.

“Almost as historic as the man it’s nicknamed after, Route 66 is a critical part of Oklahoma’s highway transportation system,” said Congressman Lucas. “The investment made by the U.S. Department of Transportation to help restore and upgrade Bridgeport Bridge is welcomed news for local traffic as well as freight haulers and Route 66 tourists. While ensuring the urgently needed safety improvements are made, the Bridgeport Bridge project will safeguard the historical elements of the bridge- including, the iconic pony truss spans and parts of the original Route 66 pavement. I thank my U.S. Senators for joining me in support of this project, and I look forward to generations of Oklahomans being able make the safe trip across Oklahoma along this historic highway.”

The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grant program, provides a unique opportunity for the DOT to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives.

Since 2009, the Program has provided a combined $7.9 billion to 609 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

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