Drilling equipment damages Norton Bridge

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Posted: 5:19 PM May 1, 2008
Last Updated: 10:45 PM May 1, 2008
Reporter: Robin Beal
Email Address: robin.beal@kxii.com

13 comments

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JOHNSTON COUNY, OK - It is a structure that has stood the test of time. And while wind and floods have not broken it, the Norton Bridge near Mannsville, in Johnston County, may have finally met its match. Robin Beal reports.

"Don't nobody get nervous. You got nothing to fear."

But try telling that to the man behind the wheel of this skylight Wednesday night, driving it across the Norton Bridge. The pictures prove it's something to be nervous about.

"This could be one of the big moments in your life. Don't make it your last."

"We could have had a fatality here very easy."

The near century-old bridge was first made famous in the 1973 movie Dillinger, filmed partially right here in Johnston County. The bridge and the surrounding area were featured in a shootout scene.

Today it is famous once more. But this time for slightly less glamorous reasons.

"They tried a shortcut, rather than putting it on a pickup and driving it around. You know they're right across the river, less than a half a mile apart. But it's about ten or twelve miles around and somebody tried a shortcut and didn't make it."

Officials say workers at a nearby drilling rig leased the skylight from an Ardmore heavy equipment company the day before. They say it is next to new and definitely heavy.

"The estimated weight on this one was around 35,000 pounds. The bridge weight limit is three tons. So that's quite a difference."

"So that's about 29,000 pounds too much."

"Yeah. Yeah."

The county was concerned about the recently increased oil rig presence in the area and even put up signs, warning people of the three ton weight limit. Those signs apparently un-noticed or ignored for convenience. The end result, an expensive piece of equipment dangling over the Washita River and a piece of the community's history -- the Norton Bridge -- officially condemned.

Now, inconvenient for everybody.

"The road is being shut off at State Highway 1 about a mile and a half east of Ravia , where Greasy Bend Road starts. It’s closed from there, all the way through to Mannsville."

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Sonya Location: Yukon on May 11, 2008 at 03:35 PM
I don't know why anyone has the right to blame anyone for anything when you don't have all the facts. It has been said on the news that the state of Oklahoma has the worst bridges in the nation. If this bridge is that old is it any surprise that it fell through. There are several bridges in that area that I'm afraid to drive across on a bycicle let alone a vehicle. Our state needs to repair our outdated broken down bridges before a family falls through the next one. We need to stop blaming each other and blame the people that are responsible for keeping our roads safe.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 10, 2008 at 07:30 AM
first off all john do you know the man that was on the forklift that day. i doubt it so you need to becarefull who you call a fool you may run into that man someday. an that rich oil company your complaining about is repairing that bridge that should have been condemed a long time ago. these so called rich oil companies...... if it werent for there employees bringing all that revenue to your little town you wouldnt have a town these oil companies have started alot of these little towns like yours so why not stop bitchn and set back and enjoy the detour

Posted by: james Location: bridge on May 10, 2008 at 07:17 AM
first of all there was no new signs,and you guys failed to mention that, in the past four years there has been more than four vehicles that have found there selves in the same posistion that forkleft was. One other thing most of the people in that county work on these rigs around there

Posted by: Gail Location: work on May 9, 2008 at 09:38 PM
I get so irate at the ignorance of people. NO, the driver of the skylift was NOT Mexican. Nor was he an immigrant from any other country. Just country folk like you and me. Trying to save a little bit of time, yes! Just a little bit of laziness, maybe! Quit trying to blame all of the problems in this world on immigrants and Mexicans. Let's take a look at our education system, AND expect nothing but the best from our co-workers.

Posted by: John Location: Madill on May 5, 2008 at 08:54 AM
We need to let this oil company know that we will not tolerate the abuse of our land. this is a tragedy! this bridge is over 100 years old and has stood the test of time until one inconsiderate fool decided to save 10 minutes. why should we suffer the permanent consequences of a rich oil company's mistake? we can't let this company step all over us and get away with it.

Posted by: Dreamer Location: Atoka, OK on May 3, 2008 at 09:06 AM
We need to take back our country and stop allowing "anyone" to destroy it piece by piece. Oil companies or any business, need to know that if you do business in Oklahoma, you are held accountable for any illegal actions the company or its' employee's might impose. Train those highly paid immigrants to obey our laws or be prepared to cover their negligence. I'm tired of our roads being destroyed, state and locals signs being run over, the landscape being littered and left. Folks we must take back our land or we deserve what we get. It is such a shame that a part of history was destroyed over someone's laziness and stupidity! I see impending litigations here, but what price cap can you put on a historical site such as this bridge? It's a priceless part of Oklahoma history! This is "our country", if you can't love it, respect it, and obey it's laws....LEAVE IT!

Posted by: Mom Location: Oklahoma on May 2, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Lets make the oil company pay! We have all paid them enough!

Posted by: Charles Location: Oklahoma on May 2, 2008 at 02:13 PM
That bridge needed to be torn down many years ago.

Posted by: ANDREW Location: OKLAHOMA on May 2, 2008 at 01:13 PM
what was that guy thinking what he could not see that the brige was wooden or what he couldnt read he was stupid for even triing to go across it what a idoit

Posted by: andrew Location: oklahoma on May 2, 2008 at 12:59 PM
the person that was driving the fourcliff had to be stupid for tring that what he couldnt see that it was wooden or cant read the signs wat a idoit

Posted by: Martin Location: Oklahoma on May 2, 2008 at 09:16 AM
This is horrible--a historical landmark has been destroyed by a complete IDIOT!!! The oil company has more than enough money--they should be responsible for the damages and fix the bridge. It would be tragic if this landmark was demolished--we need to save this bridge. Don't let the state tear it down.

Posted by: Agrivated Location: Durant on May 2, 2008 at 06:44 AM
Norton Bridge is part of my history as well. I grew up in Mannsville from age 4-8 and then from 16-32. I have fond memories of the bridge, the fishing underneath it, the roads surrounding it, and just the serenity and beauty of it all. It really chaps me that someone with no regard for scenic beauty or history would just now totally destroy something and then just pretty much say "Oh well". People have no respect for rural history. I remember when some "slicker" in a Mercedes Benz pulled off Highway 70 in downtown Mannsville and jumped out and grabbed the old hand-lever operated water pump from the center of town. It had been there since the early part of the century. I guess it's an ornament in some flower bed or some such now. Man!

Posted by: Jose Location: Mexi part of Grayson on May 1, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Got 5 bucks that says it was a Mexican driving the lift.

Posted by: steve Location: denison on May 1, 2008 at 06:26 PM
35,000 pounds on a 6,000 pound-limit bridge? What an idiot!

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