ODOT begins demo work for viaduct project

After months and months of discussions, plans and conferences, the first sign of construction of the State Highway 33 project on Guthrie’s west side to replace the 79-year-old viaduct bridge came on Thursday morning with the demolition of properties.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) began tearing down two homes in the 1000 of W. Noble to construct a new bridge that separates the town’s east and west side. Along with the new bridge, ODOT says there will be improvements of the vertical sight distance, reduction of road closures due to flooding of Highway 33 (Noble Ave.) and widening the bridge to four-lanes.

ODOT tells Guthrie News Page 17 properties are scheduled to come down in the next 30 days and that the complete demolition process will take approximately 180 days.

The project is estimated to relocate 23 commercial and 12 residential relocations.

Once construction begins, projected in 2016, the road will remain open, but congestion, noise and traffic safety will be factors during the construction.