The I-40 bridge in eastern Oklahoma could be rebuilt in half the estimated six-month time frame.

The Federal Highway Administration announced it will immediately commit an initial $3 million in federal emergency relief funds to Oklahoma to help rebuild the bridge. That, plus innovative contacting practices and construction techniques, could enable the state to reconstruct the bridge in about half the normal six-month time.
The bridge collapsed Memorial Day weekend when a barge hit the bridge supports, killing 14 people and severing a major commercial interstate artery.
“Repairing the I-40 Bridge over the Arkansas River as quickly as possible is a priority for our administration,” said Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. “We will assist the state of Oklahoma in every way to minimize the interruptions on this important Interstate route in America’s heartland. I-40 is one of this nation’s busiest east-west routes, and we will continue working closely with the state of Oklahoma to ensure that the bridge is reconstructed quickly.”
FHWA emergency relief funds are provided after the president or a governor issues a formal emergency proclamation and the state files a preliminary damage assessment for its highways and bridges on the federal-aid system. Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating issued a proclamation on May 28.
The funds reimburse the state for the damage repair work that is already completed and provides funding for the remaining damage repair work to correct major or unusual damage to federal-aid highways. Eligible repair work includes reconstructing damaged bridges and pavement surfaces, establishing detours, removing slides and debris, and replacing signs, lighting and guardrails.