Fort Gibson Dam Bridge Replacement Begins With $63.8 Million Project
Fort Gibson Dam Bridge Replacement Begins With $63.8 Million Demolition and Construction Project
The Fort Gibson Dam bridge replacement is underway in northeastern Oklahoma as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa District begins demolishing the aging State Highway 251-A bridge spanning the Grand-Neosho River. The $63.8 million infrastructure project will replace a structure that was closed indefinitely in April 2025 after safety inspections revealed critical deterioration, leaving motorists and nearby communities without a direct crossing over the dam.
Demolition began in October 2026, with crews using specialized marine equipment to dismantle the bridge while maintaining operations at Fort Gibson Dam. The project involves removing massive concrete and steel sections from the existing structure before constructing a replacement designed for greater durability and reduced maintenance. Officials anticipate approximately two years of construction, with the new bridge expected to reopen around late 2028.
Fort Gibson Dam Bridge Replacement Requires Massive Crane and Marine Construction
The original State Highway 251-A bridge stretches approximately one-third of a mile across the Grand-Neosho River, making it the longest spillway bridge in the Tulsa District's inventory. Built across the Fort Gibson Dam spillway, the 30-span structure presents significant engineering challenges because demolition must take place above an active water-control facility.
Alberici Constructors, the contractor overseeing demolition and replacement, is using a marine-based construction approach involving a massive Manitowoc crane mounted on a segmented barge positioned within the spillway. The equipment allows crews to lift and transport sections of the existing bridge without relying entirely on land-based construction access.
The demolition involves removing 60 half-sections of the bridge, each weighing approximately 130 tons, or 260,000 pounds. Crews lift the enormous sections from the structure and transport them to shore, where materials can be processed and recycled.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa District manages Fort Gibson Dam and its associated infrastructure, including the spillway and bridge replacement project. The specialized demolition process is designed to protect the dam's operating systems while allowing construction crews to remove the deteriorating roadway safely.
New Fort Gibson Bridge Will Use Advanced Concrete Technology
The replacement bridge will incorporate Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC), an advanced construction material engineered to provide greater strength and durability than conventional concrete. The technology is increasingly used in bridge construction because of its resistance to deterioration and potential to extend the service life of critical infrastructure.
UHPC contains a specialized combination of cementitious materials and reinforcing fibers that creates an extremely dense, high-strength concrete. Its use can help reduce cracking, limit moisture penetration and improve resistance to environmental conditions that contribute to bridge deterioration.
The Federal Highway Administration's Ultra-High Performance Concrete resources explain how the material can improve structural performance while reducing long-term maintenance requirements. For a bridge positioned directly above a dam spillway, those characteristics are particularly important because future repairs can require complex equipment and coordination with water-management operations.
Construction crews must also maintain Fort Gibson Dam's flood-control capabilities throughout the project. Demolition and replacement activities are carefully sequenced so that no more than three spillway gates are taken offline at any given time, allowing the remaining gates to continue operating when necessary.
The coordination between bridge construction and dam operations adds complexity to the project, requiring crews to account for changing water conditions, equipment positioning and the operational requirements of the reservoir.
Fort Gibson Dam Recreation Closures Continue Through Construction
The Fort Gibson Dam bridge replacement will continue affecting traffic and recreational access throughout the construction period. Since the bridge closed in April 2025, motorists who previously traveled across State Highway 251-A have been required to use alternate routes around the dam.
Several recreation areas also remain closed to accommodate construction staging and protect public safety. Dam Site West and Dam Site North, including the north boat ramp, are closed for the duration of the project as crews operate heavy equipment and move large bridge sections through the construction area.
However, the fishing wall on the east side of Fort Gibson Dam remains open to the public, allowing anglers continued access to one of the area's recreational fishing locations.
Visitors planning trips to Fort Gibson Lake can review recreation information and project-related notices through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fort Gibson Lake website, which provides information about the federally managed reservoir and surrounding facilities.
The project is expected to take approximately two years from the start of demolition, with completion and roadway reopening currently projected for late 2028. Construction schedules may be affected by weather, water levels and the operational requirements of the dam.
The Fort Gibson Dam bridge replacement represents a $63.8 million investment in northeastern Oklahoma's transportation infrastructure. By removing the deteriorating State Highway 251-A bridge and constructing a more durable replacement using advanced concrete technology, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers aims to restore an important roadway connection while protecting dam operations and maintaining public safety throughout the construction process.
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