O. K. Allen US 71 Bridge - Alexandria LA
N 31° 19.621 W 092° 27.120
15R E 552136 N 3465974
The O.K. Allen US 71 truss bridge over the Red River north of Alexandria LA is being replaced. This bridge's days are numbered, so check it out while you still can!
Waymark Code: WMNECR
Location: Louisiana, United States
Date Posted: 02/27/2015
Views: 3
The O.K. Allen bridge that carries the US 71 over the Red River is being replaced by twin modern concrete spans right now (Jan 2015). This gorgeous K-Parker through truss bridge was built in 1936.
From Bridgehunter.com:
Overview: K-Parker through truss bridge over Red River on US 71
Location: Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Status: Doomed
Future prospects: Doomed
History: Built 1936
Design Main span: K-Parker through truss
Approaches: K-deck trusses
Dimensions:
Length of largest span: 500.0 ft.
Total length: 1,919.4 ft.
Deck width: 23.6 ft.
Vertical clearance above deck: 13.7 ft.
Also called: Red River US 71 Bridge
Description
Jensen Construction Company of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has won the bid to build the Fort Buhlow bridges. Jensen narrowly outbid the local Gilchrist Construction Co. of Alexandria, LA. Twin, two-lane concrete bridges will be built, with approaches from Third Street in Alexandria, and Claiborne Street in Pineville (in the process replacing the current bridge over the railroad just NE of the lake. Right-of-way clearing is in full effect.
Brief History
Written by Cliff Darby
This bridge is named for Governor Oscar K. Allen, the 42nd Governor of Louisiana. It was built in 1936 along with several other bridges along US 71. The OK Allen was the second roadway between Alexandria and Pineville, the only other (at the time) was the narrow Murray Street Bridge, a through-truss swing bridge, which was demolished in the 1980s to make way for the Gillis Long Bridge (also known as the Jackson Street bridge). The third Red River crossing in Rapides Parish was the Fulton Street Bridge, a four-lane vertical lift, through truss bridge, built in the 1960s and demolished in the mid 1990s to make way for (you guessed it) concrete and steel UCEBs that connect to Interstate 49.
Plans have been in the works for the last two decades to replace the OK Allen, due to the narrow width lanes, low vertical clearance, and lack of shoulders. The Louisiana TIMED project outlined plans to replace this bridge; plans that are coming to fruition. The OK Allen will be replaced with two Concrete I-Beam bridges that connect to Interstate 49 to the west, and the 165/71 interchange to the east. Bidding will be let by July 23, 2010, with completion of the entire project around 2014."
Date Built: 01/01/1936
Length of Span:
1919 feet
www:
http://bridgehunter.com/la/rapides/red-71/
Parking Coordinates:: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
Log your find with a picture of the bridge with yourself or your GPS in the foreground. This shot does not have to be taken "on" the bridge. The shot should show the "truss" structure of the bridge as well.