Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
COLLINSVILLE, OKLAHOMA - Getting from here to there in the city of Collinsville is about to get a little easier. The Cherokee Nation, Tulsa County Commissioners and city officials have come to an agreement that will make everyone’s drive a little smoother and a whole lot safer. The Cherokee Nation has agreed to provide funding to finance a bridge construction project that will restore a bridge that has been out of commission for almost twenty years. The Tulsa County Commissioner’s office agreed to provide the manpower and engineering services on the bridge and plans to begin construction on the bridge this fall.
A sign reading, "Bridge Out" stands where the new Broadway Bridge will be built in Collinsville. The original bridge was condemned almost 20 years ago. The Cherokee Nation and Tulsa County are working together to rebuild the bridge and reopen an arterial road in Collinsville. 
"This project helps Cherokee Nation and communities to work together to stretch their dollars," said Buel Anglen, Cherokee Nation tribal council member who represents the Collinsville area. "Working with the city and county, we can do projects that otherwise wouldn't get done. This project probably wouldn't happen without the help of the Cherokee Nation."
"This is a major road improvement to Collinsville," said Stan Sallee, the mayor of Collinsville. "This partnership between Cherokee Nation and the county is a big deal for our area."
The bridge, known as the Broadway Bridge, is located on Broadway Street and once it’s opened will provide an alternate route to major highway and relief for everyday traffic problems on Main Street, which runs parallel to Broadway.
"It will alleviate problems with congestion and traffic pile-ups," Sallee said.
"We're working together to combine our revenue and get this project done," said Bill Johnson, tribal council member who also represents the Collinsville area. "It shows the Cherokee Nation is involved in helping out communities."
Both Anglen and Johnson were instrumental in working together with the city and county to reach this agreement. As tribal council members, they are both given a percentage of the Cherokee Nation motor fuels tax money to spend on road improvements in their area. Their decision to fix the Broadway Street Bridge in Collinsville was unanimous.
"Buel really got the ball rolling," Sallee said. "He committed the money first and the county chimed right in and agreed to do the work. It’s a win-win situation for everyone that’s involved."
Once bridge construction begins, it is expected to take 120 days to complete.
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |