On Thursday July 29, City staff discovered a structural concern regarding the existing Imhoff Creek Bridge located on Imhoff Road between Walnut Road and South Berry Road. This bridge is nearly 50 years old and includes a large, concrete box culvert structure. One of the structural walls at the southeast corner of bridge became dislocated from the main structure due to age and decay. During investigation of this issue, City staff determined that the roadway over this structure may no longer be safe for traffic or pedestrians due to on-going channel bank erosion and undermining of the concrete structure. This determination was confirmed by professional structural engineers.
Immediately following closure of the bridge, City staff began evaluating the extent of structural damage and possible remedies. On August 4, 2021, the Oklahoma City engineering firm of H.W. Lochner Inc. was hired to provide professional structural engineering services for emergency bridge repair. Over the past week, City staff and the City’s Bridge Maintenance contractor have been on site clearing some of the debris to provide access to the structure. All debris removal activities have been completed. The City’s contractor will now pause any further repairs until the engineering structural analysis is complete. It is anticipated that bridge repairs will commence in September 2021 with completion before the end of the calendar year, weather permitting. Bridge replacement will not be necessary.
Out of an abundance of caution, Imhoff Road will remain closed to traffic and pedestrians between South Berry Road and Walnut Road until further notice. Traffic signs will remain in place to detour vehicles to South Berry Road for eastbound traffic and Chautauqua Avenue for westbound traffic. Drivers should plan extra travel time while work on this bridge is in progress. In the meantime, no existing homes or private improvements in the vicinity are in any danger nor is the existing Imhoff Creek drainage channel impeded in any way.
Please direct any questions or concerns to Mr. Joseph Hill, City Street Program Manager, for the City of Norman at 405-329-2524.