he Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) desires to replace the existing SH-53A bridge box structure for the Big Branch Creek overflow creek approximately one quarter (1/4) mile south of the SH-53 and SH-53A junction in Carter County. The project is located just north of Gene Autry, Oklahoma in north-central Carter County in a rural area. It is ODOT’s desire to build a new reinforced concrete box culvert or a new bridge box structure on an offset alignment. A detailed hydraulic analysis will be made to determine the appropriately sized drainage structure for replacement and to assure there is no adverse impact to the FEMA Mapped, Zone A floodplain. 

This segment of existing SH-53A roadway also has a significantly high traffic accident rate compared to the amount of vehicular traffic this road carries. Both vertical and horizontal profile roadway elements need to be corrected. These roadway modifications will likely include widening the roadway width, as well. The 7th Edition of A Policy on Geometric Designs of Highway and Streets (the AASHTO Green Book) and the most current ODOT Roadway Design Manual’s 3R (Resurfacing, Restoration and Rehabilitation) design criteria will be utilized for the proposed roadway improvements.