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Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Public Affairs Division
200 N.E. 21st Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone: 405-521-6000, Fax: 405-521-2524
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2002, 4:00 p.m.
I-40 Bridge Hit Update for June 10
* Saturday, June 8 - Prebid meeting at bridge site. More than 60 contractors attended the meeting to see if they want to bid on the project.

* Monday, June 10 - Mary Peters, U.S. Department of Transportation, and U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, inspected the site at the invitation of ODOT. After a brief press conference, Peters and Inhofe visited with staff at the site. (See cutline. Photo is June_10_pic.jpg)

* Wednesday, June 12
10 a.m. - Bid Opening - Contractors may submit bids
2 p.m. - Special Commission Meeting - hoping to approve contract
4 p.m. - Sign Contract
6 p.m. - Time begins on contract

* Demolition of the westbound lanes is complete except for one steel girder. The deck on the eastbound bridge has been removed. Work continues on the reinforcing steel tonight. We will also continue working on the span in the river tonight.

Photo Cutline
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and U.S. Department of Transportation Director Mary Peters have been very instrumental in assisting Oklahoma in efforts to repair the I-40 bridge over the Arkansas River after it was hit by a barge May 26. They inspected the site today with Oklahoma Department of Transportation leadership. Pictured from left to right, Walter Kudzia, Federal Highway Administration; Senator Inhofe; US DOT Director Peters; Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Herschal Crow; and ODOT Director Gary Ridley.