Oklahoma is wasting little time in trying to restore its barge-battered Interstate 40 bridge over the Arkansas River, where 20,000 vehicles have been rerouted to a crossing 20 miles away. Demolition continued as state officials unveiled more details of the planned repair contract.
A dangling 380-ton bridge section should be completely gone by July 12, says Bruce Taylor, Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation chief engineer. Demolition contractor Jensen Construction Co., Des Moines, is busy removing the 25-ft-long, 64-ft-wide chunk.