Transportation
Oklahoma Advances Progressive Design-Build Plan for $250M Bridge Replacement
State awarded $2-million contracts to three teams vying for Roosevelt Memorial project
The historic US‑70 Roosevelt Memorial Bridge over Lake Texoma is set for replacement through Oklahoma DOT’s estimated $250M design-build project.
The Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation is advancing its plan to replace the Roosevelt Memorial Bridge on U.S. Highway 70 by selecting three teams to participate in the next phase of its first-ever modified progressive design-build procurement plan.
The Oklahoma Transportation Commission has awarded $2-million contracts to Manhattan Road & Bridge Co., Walsh Construction Co., and a joint venture between Zachry Construction Corp. and Traylor Bros., Inc. Each team will develop conceptual proposals that include overall design, construction phasing, cost estimates and opportunities for innovation. One finalist will be selected in 2026 to complete the final design and build the new bridge, which will be located just south of the existing structure and meet updated safety and mobility standards.
In July 2024, the Federal Highway Administration awarded the Oklahoma DOT a $124-million grant from its Bridge Investment Program for the estimated $250-million project. The grant—the largest such transportation award in Oklahoma’s history—was among 13 major bridge projects receiving federal support nationwide.
Unlike traditional design-bid-build delivery, the modified progressive design-build approach engages multiple teams during preconstruction. Once a preferred team is selected, the project advances to final design and construction.
"This (progressive design-build) method teams designers and builders together throughout the engineering process to promote greater innovation and expedite project completion by incorporating the builder's preferred practices into the design," said ODOT Director of Design Justin Hernandez in a statement.
The Roosevelt Memorial Bridge was originally constructed in 1942 and spans 4,943 ft across Lake Texoma, connecting Bryan and Marshall counties. It carries approximately 8,500 vehicles per day and serves as a vital east-west corridor in southeastern Oklahoma. The existing structure includes a 250-ft Warren through-truss and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. ODOT is currently coordinating with state and federal preservation offices to document its historical significance.
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