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Fallin Seeks Federal Help For Businesses Affected By Bridge Closure

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Oklahoma Department of Transportation

Gov. Mary Fallin announced Wednesday she’s asking for federal aid for businesses in Purcell and Lexington affected by the closure of a state bridge that connects the two communities.

In a statement, Fallin said she’s requesting an economic injury declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration. That allows McClain and Cleveland county businesses to apply for federally subsidized loans.

Fallin declared a state of emergency two months ago that allowed state reimbursements of up to $100,000 for each of the cities and the two counties. 

The bridge closed January 31 after engineers found structural cracks in the bridge’s beams, turning what used to be a short commute over the bridge into a nearly hour-long one-way trip between Lexington and Purcell.

“The increase in travel time has created an undue financial burden for the residents and small business owners in both counties and communities,” Fallin wrote in her letter to the SBA. “The magnitude of the bridge closure presents unexpected consequences to these communities that could be difficult to recover from without extended support.”

Purcell’s city manager said last month the trade impact has affected Purcell retailers by as much as 50 percent, with up to $200,000 in lost sales tax revenue.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is currently paying for shuttles between the two towns, with multiple runs throughout the day. June 14 is the target date to reopen the 76-year-old bridge.

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Brian Hardzinski is from Flower Mound, Texas and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He began his career at KGOU as a student intern, joining KGOU full time in 2009 as Operations and Public Service Announcement Director. He began regularly hosting Morning Edition in 2014, and became the station's first Digital News Editor in 2015-16. Brian’s work at KGOU has been honored by Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI), the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters, the Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcasters, and local and regional chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists. Brian enjoys competing in triathlons, distance running, playing tennis, and entertaining his rambunctious Boston Terrier, Bucky.
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