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Chief Smith joined ODOT Director Gary Ridley and Secretary Crow at a news conference at the bridge site Wednesday morning.

WEBBERS FALLS, OK - A month to the day after wayward barges crashed into the I-40 bridge over the Arkansas River, resulting in the tragic death of 14 people, the Cherokee Nation and the State of Oklahoma announced their continued cooperation in the work to rebuild the bridge as quickly as possible.

"Cooperation by the Cherokee Nation has facilitated the project and has been invaluable in helping speed the construction by immediately making areas accessible to the contractor", Oklahoma Transportation Secretary Herschal Crow said.

"The State of Oklahoma has taken extraordinary measures to see that things return to normal as soon as possible after the tragedy that occurred here one month ago", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "The Cherokee Nation has worked hand in hand with the state to remove any obstacles to the repair of the bridge here in Webbers Falls. We have contributed our land, our manpower and our cooperation since day one. Recently, our Tribal Council voted unanimously to authorize me to grant temporary easements to allow the work here to move ahead as quickly as possible.

"As the sole owner of the Arkansas Riverbed and banks at Webbers Falls, the Cherokee Nation has a continued interest in the events that are taking place here over the next few weeks", Smith said. "We are confident that we can work out permanent agreements with the state for a long-term arrangement for the bridge as it crosses our land. Our governments have been able to work together in partnership, even through this unexpected tragedy.

"As part of the process of healing for the victims’ families and the surrounding community, I would like to invite all members of the surrounding community as well as the victims' families to attend a Cherokee Comfort Ceremony and Memorial Service at the Battle of Webbers Falls Park in Webbers Falls at noon this Friday", Smith said.

Smith and Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member Don Garvin joined ODOT Director Gary Ridley and Secretary Crow at a news conference at the bridge site Wednesday morning.