11th Street Bridge

Last updated

11th Street Bridge
Route 66 pedestrian overpass looking onto Cyrus Avery Plaza.jpg
LocationTulsa, Oklahoma
Coordinates 36°08′35″N96°00′17″W / 36.1429455°N 96.0046506°W / 36.1429455; -96.0046506
Built1915
ArchitectHarrington, Howard and Ash
MPS Route 66 in Oklahoma MPS
NRHP reference No. 96001488
Added to NRHP1996

The 11th Street Bridge was completed in December 1915 to carry vehicles across the Arkansas River at Tulsa, Oklahoma. Used from 1916 to 1972, it was also a part of U.S. Route 66. [1] Functionally, it has been replaced by the I-244 bridges across the Arkansas. As of 2009, the bridge was in poor structural condition and unsafe even for pedestrians. In 2008, the gates were locked to exclude all visitors. [2]

Contents

This bridge was added on December 13, 1996, to the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A and C. Its NRIS number is 96001488. [3] Its listing was consistent with evaluations of historic resources on Route 66 in Oklahoma completed in 1994 and 2003 studies. [4] [5] It was named the "Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Bridge" in 2004. [6] [lower-alpha 1]

Although the bridge still stands, it is considered unsafe for use and has been closed to vehicles since 1980 and to pedestrians since 2008. [6]

Construction

Engineered by Harrington, Howard and Ash of Kansas City, this bridge replaced an earlier wooden structure. [lower-alpha 2] It was built by the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company for $180,000. A multi-span concrete arch bridge, with 18 spans, it was 1,470 feet (450 m) long and 34 feet (10 m) wide. It had a railroad track in the center and one vehicular lane on each side of the track. [6]

At the time, it was notable for several reasons: [8]

In 1929, the original balustrades and Victorian-style lights were replaced with Art Deco guardrails and lights. A 1934 project constructed a second arched bridge immediately downstream and connected both bridges with a single deck. This brought the deck width to 52 feet 8 inches, with a roadbed that was 40 feet (12 m) wide and accommodated four lanes of traffic. [6]

Obsolescence

Completion of the I-244 bridges in 1967 removed most vehicular traffic from the 11th street bridge. In 1980, it was closed to traffic, although it remained open to pedestrians. In 1996, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. [6] In 2004, the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma, formally renamed the Eleventh Street Bridge (which carried US 66 over the Arkansas River), the Cyrus Avery Route 66 Memorial Bridge in honor of the man who vigorously promoted the creation of Route 66. [9]

Present condition

Time has not been good to the old bridge, and it has been rated as "quite dangerous" and unsafe for pedestrians by the City of Tulsa. There are holes in the deck, the pavement has buckled in many places, and weeds grow in the cracks. The gates were locked in 2008. Although it was considered as the centerpiece of a Route 66 exhibit, engineers estimated that it would cost $15 million just to be made safe for pedestrians. The conclusion was that the historic structure is "... too expensive to repair, too historic to demolish, and too valuable to ignore". [2]

Ironically, the I-244 bridges have already reached the end of their service lives. The westbound bridge was closed and demolition begun in May 2011. Demolition was 85 percent complete as of August 1, 2011. The demolished structure will be replaced by a double-deck, multimodal span. The top deck will carry vehicles and the lower deck will have a pedestrian way and two railroad tracks (to be added in the future). Completion is scheduled for 2013. Extreme care has been used during the demolition to avoid vibrations that might further damage the old 11th Street Bridge. [10]

Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza

The ability to utilize the existing bridge, rather than having to build another one over the Arkansas, was said to be the major reason U.S. Route 66 was built through Tulsa. [11] In commemoration of the Route and the man who helped bring it about, the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza is located adjacent to the east entrance of the historic Bridge in Tulsa, at the intersection of Southwest Boulevard and Riverside Drive. [12] The first phase of the plaza included a display of flags of the eight states which were served by U.S Route 66. It was completed in July 2008 and dedicated on August 7, 2008. [13] A skyway with an observation deck leads pedestrians from the visitors' parking lot across Southwest Boulevard. [14] [lower-alpha 3]

The plaza features a bronze sculpture, created by artist Robert Summers titled "East Meets West". The sculpture is 14 feet (4.3 m) long, 18 feet (5.5 m) wide and 14 feet (4.3 m) high. The sculpture depicts the Avery family riding west in a Model T Ford auto meeting an eastbound horse-drawn carriage. [14] It weighs over 20,000 pounds (9,100 kg) and cost about $1.178 million. [15]

In 2020, Avery Plaza Southwest is scheduled to open, at the west end of the Bridge. Plans include replicas of three neon signs from Tulsa-area motels from the era, being the Will Rogers Motor Court. Tulsa Auto Court, and the Oil Capital Motel. [16]

Proposed museum

A museum to educate visitors about the significance of Route 66 has been proposed. It would be built on a hill adjacent to the existing parking lot. No date has been established for this project. [14]

Notes

  1. ↑ Cyrus Avery was a Tulsa County Commissioner (1913-1916) and involved in the political decision to build the 11th Street Bridge. He had become a highway specialist and by 1924 served as a consultant to the Federal Government. In this role, he strongly advocated bringing a proposed national highway (U.S. 66) between Chicago and Los Angeles through Tulsa. This route was accepted by the government, and Avery was nicknamed "Father of Route 66". [6]
  2. ↑ A Tulsa World article says that the earlier bridge had been "...a steel pedestrian-wagon toll bridge built in 1903". Designed primarily for workers and supplies to reach the oilfields southwest of Tulsa (Glenn Pool and Red Fork), it was inadequate for the dawning automobile age. [7]
  3. ↑ The plaza project was funded through the Vision 2025 program. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Route 66</span> Former US Highway between Chicago and Santa Monica

U.S. Route 66 or U.S. Highway 66 was one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System. It was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The highway, which became one of the most famous roads in the United States, originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before terminating in Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California, covering a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interstate 44</span> Interstate Highway mostly in Oklahoma and Missouri

Interstate 44 (I-44) is a major Interstate Highway in the central United States. Although it is nominally an east–west road as it is even-numbered, it follows a more southwest–northeast alignment. Its western terminus is in Wichita Falls, Texas, at a concurrency with U.S. Route 277 (US 277), US 281, and US 287; its eastern terminus is at I-70 in St. Louis, Missouri. I-44 is one of five Interstates built to bypass US 66; this highway covers the section between Oklahoma City and St. Louis. Virtually the entire length of I-44 east of Springfield, Missouri, was once US 66, which was upgraded from two to four lanes from 1949 to 1955. The section of I-44 west of Springfield was built farther south than US 66 in order to connect Missouri's section with the already completed Will Rogers Turnpike, which Oklahoma wished to carry their part of I-44.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tulsa County, Oklahoma</span> County in the United States

Tulsa County is located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 669,279, making it the second-most populous county in the state, behind only Oklahoma County. Its county seat and largest city is Tulsa, the second-largest city in the state. Founded at statehood, in 1907, it was named after the previously established city of Tulsa. Before statehood, the area was part of both the Creek Nation and the Cooweescoowee District of Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tulsa, Oklahoma</span> City in Oklahoma, United States

Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 47th-most populous city in the United States. The population was 413,066 as of the 2020 census. It is the principal municipality of the Tulsa metropolitan area, a region with 1,023,988 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Tulsa County, the most densely populated county in Oklahoma, with urban development extending into Osage, Rogers and Wagoner counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manhattan Bridge</span> Bridge between Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York

The Manhattan Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the East River in New York City, connecting Lower Manhattan at Canal Street with Downtown Brooklyn at the Flatbush Avenue Extension. The main span is 1,480 ft (451 m) long, with the suspension cables being 3,224 ft (983 m) long. The bridge's total length is 6,855 ft (2,089 m). It is one of four toll-free vehicular bridges connecting Manhattan Island to Long Island; the nearby Brooklyn Bridge is just slightly further downtown, while the Queensboro and Williamsburg bridges are to the north.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interstate 244</span> Highway in Oklahoma

Interstate 244 (I-244), also known as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Expressway since 1984, the Crosstown Expressway, and the Red Fork Expressway, is a 15.8-mile-long (25.4 km) east–west Interstate Highway bypass route of I-44 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sellwood Bridge</span> Bridge in Portland, OR

The Sellwood Bridge is a deck arch bridge that spans the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, in the United States. The current bridge opened in 2016 and replaced a 1925 span that had carried the same name. The original bridge was Portland's first fixed-span bridge and, being the only river crossing for miles in each direction, the busiest two-lane bridge in Oregon. The Sellwood Bridge links the Sellwood and Westmoreland neighborhoods of Portland on the east side with Oregon Route 43/Macadam Avenue on the west side. At its east end it leads to Tacoma Street. The bridge is owned and operated by Multnomah County. The original span of 1925 was a steel truss bridge, while its 2016 replacement is a deck-arch-type bridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yaquina Bay Bridge</span> Bridge in Newport, Oregon

The Yaquina Bay Bridge is an arch bridge that spans Yaquina Bay south of Newport, Oregon. It is one of the most recognizable of the U.S. Route 101 bridges designed by Conde McCullough and one of eleven major bridges on the Oregon Coast Highway designed by him. It superseded the last ferry crossing on the highway.

West Tulsa is a local name given to an area situated in the west section of the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma which includes various communities to the west and south of the Arkansas River. As development between Sand Springs and Tulsa continued in the late 19th through the early 20th centuries, the name West Tulsa was used to refer to this area west of Tulsa and north of the Arkansas River, but many people in Tulsa and those knowing of the history of Tulsa do not include this area near Sand Springs when referring to West Tulsa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Key Bridge (Washington, D.C.)</span> United States historic place

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, more commonly known as the Key Bridge, is a six-lane reinforced concrete arch bridge conveying U.S. Route 29 (US 29) traffic across the Potomac River between the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington County, Virginia, and the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Completed in 1923, it is Washington's oldest surviving road bridge across the Potomac River.

Cyrus Stevens Avery (1871–1963) was a businessperson, oilman, and highway commissioner. He created the U.S. Route 66 while being a member of the federal board appointed to create the Federal Highway System, then pushed for the establishment of the U.S. Highway 66 Association to pave and promote the highway. As such, he is known as the "Father of Route 66".

Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 45th-most populous city in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oklahoma State Highway 51</span> State highway in Oklahoma, United States

State Highway 51, abbreviated to SH-51 or OK-51, is a major state highway in Oklahoma, United States. It runs for 332.8 miles (535.6 km) east–west across the state, running from the Texas state line to Arkansas. It is the third-longest state highway in the system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Route 66 in Oklahoma</span> Former highway in Oklahoma

The historic U.S. Route 66, sometimes known as the Will Rogers Highway after Oklahoma native Will Rogers, ran from west to northeast across the state of Oklahoma, along the path now taken by Interstate 40 (I-40) and State Highway 66 (SH-66). It passed through Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and many smaller communities. West of the Oklahoma City area, it has been largely replaced by I-40; the few independent portions that are still state-maintained are now I-40 Business. However, from Oklahoma City northeast to Kansas, the bypassing I-44 is mostly a toll road, and SH-66 remains as a free alternate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neighborhoods of Tulsa, Oklahoma</span>

Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma. It has many diverse neighborhoods due to its size.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Route 64 in Arkansas</span>

U.S. Route 64 is a U.S. highway running from Teec Nos Pos, Arizona east to Nags Head, North Carolina. In the U.S. state of Arkansas, the route runs 246.35 miles (396.46 km) from the Oklahoma border in Fort Smith east to the Tennessee border in Memphis. The route passes through several cities and towns, including Fort Smith, Clarksville, Russellville, Conway, Searcy, and West Memphis. US 64 runs parallel to Interstate 40 until Conway, when I-40 takes a more southerly route.

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States.

The Broadway Bridge is an arch bridge that spans the Arkansas River connecting the cities of Little Rock, Arkansas and North Little Rock, Arkansas. It carries U.S. Route 70 (US 70). The current bridge opened to traffic in March 2017. The original bridge was demolished in 2016. It was also an arch bridge and it opened in 1923.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gathering Place (Tulsa park)</span> Public park in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Gathering Place is a 66.5-acre park along the Arkansas River in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Created by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, Gathering Place is a natural space with programming designed to provide inclusive and engaging experiences for all Tulsans to come together to explore, learn, and play. Designed by world-renowned landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh, this nearly 70-acre, hybrid park offers free experiences for all ages and abilities. At $465 million, Gathering Place is the largest private gift to a community park in U.S. history.

References

  1. ↑ "ODOT Memorial Highways & Bridges". state.ok.us.
  2. 1 2 Bryan, Emory (May 14, 2009). "Historic Tulsa Bridge To Remain Closed".
  3. ↑ "Eleventh Street Arkansas River Bridge - Art Deco Buildings in Tulsa". Tulsa Preservation Commission. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  4. ↑ Maryjo Meacham; Brenda Peck; Lisa Bradley; Susan Roth (1994). National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation: Route 66 and Associated Historic Resources in Oklahoma. National Park Service . Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  5. ↑ Michael J. Cassity (2003). National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation: Route 66 and Associated Historic Resources in Oklahoma (Additional Documentation). National Park Service . Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11th Street Arkansas River Bridge Tulsa, Oklahoma. National Park Service.
  7. ↑ P. J. Lassek (March 3, 2004), "Renaming of 11th Street Bridge to launch revival", Tulsa World. Accessed July 8, 2015.
  8. ↑ " The 11th Street Bridge". Never Quite Lost. November 27, 2015. Accessed December 19, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Cyrus Stevens Avery Timeline" Archived September 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . Accessed July 23, 2011
  10. ↑ Off, Gavin (August 2, 2011). "Demolition of westbound I-244 bridge over Arkansas River nearly complete. Tulsa World. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  11. ↑ ""It's a big part of our history: City should resurrect 11th Street bridge over Arkansas River, preservationists say". Kevin Canfield, Tulsa World, January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  12. ↑ Crichton, Ginger (May 3, 2013). "Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza", Midwest Living. Accessed July 6, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Vision 2025: Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza" Archived July 7, 2015, at the Wayback Machine . Accessed July 6, 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 Barber, Brian (May 18, 2008), "Cyrus Avery plaza's construction nearly finished", Tulsa World. Accessed July 6, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Sculpture dedicated to Cyrus Avery, the 'Father of Route 66'" Archived July 14, 2015, at the Wayback Machine , KJRH. November 9, 2012. Accessed July 6, 2015.
  16. ↑ ""It's a big part of our history: City should resurrect 11th Street bridge over Arkansas River, preservationists say". Kevin Canfield, Tulsa World, January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.