The bridge over the Nichols lake spillway has undergone a lot of changes over the decades. When it was first put in, the structure was a wooden bridge but that deteriorated over time. Most recently, a metal bridge spanned the nearly 20-foot wide spillway but it was suffering from wear and tear.
Henryetta workers have replaced that bridge with a new, steel frame and expanded metal decking. This gives anyone running or walking a safer crossing,” said Henryetta public works director Ron Casey.
He pointed out the old bridge posed a problem for people pushing strollers since it did not line up with the dirt approach from either side. The new bridge has a smoother walkway leading to it.
City officials are not going to scrap the old bridge. Instead they are going to give it a new life spanning the creek that feeds the lake.
In the past, runners and walkers were forced to either splash through the low-water bridge if it was flooded or look for a different way around.
“We are going to do some repairs on the old structure and get it mounted in place before the walking and running season gets fully underway,” Casey said.