Lake Overholser Bridge

Overholser Dr., Bethany (OKC), OK
Phone:

East < GO > West

The Lake Overholser Bridge across the North Canadian River was built in 1924. It is just north of where river water flows into the man made Oklahoma City municipal reservior known as Lake Overholser. This is actually just about on the west border of Bethany where it meets OKC. Weight and height limits as well as narrow lanes mean large vehicles would be better off on the new bridge immediately north of this one.

GPS: 35.514556, -97.663858

The 748 foot long bridge is constructed of two different types of steel trusses. A camelback Warren pony truss anchors each end with four Parker through-trusses in between. Deteriorartion of the bridge caused it to be closed to all but foot and bicycle traffic in 2008 and then closed totally in 2010 for restoration before reopening to motor traffic in early October 2011. The restoration cost more than four million dollars. A quick weathering steel was used to accelerate the visual blending in of new components with old. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

Lake Overholser was named for Ed Overholser, the 16th Mayor of Oklahoma City. A previous bridge here had been destroyed by flooding in 1923. The little city of Bethany is like an island completely surrounded by Oklahoma City.

Photo(s): 2012