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Cherokee Nation Helps Build Washington County Bridges May 5, 2003 Cherokee Nation News Release BARTLESVILLE—Cherokee Nation spent $100,000 to repair two bridges in Washington County. Sand Creek Bridge on the south side of Bartlesville and bridge #125 in Ramona are now open to traffic thanks to the efforts of Tribal Council member Buel Anglen and the Cherokee Nation roads program that recommended the projects. “The Sand Creek Bridge was erected in 1913 and has stood the test of time,” said Steve Brown, Bartlesville city manager. “It was shut down just 12 weeks. Once we got the funding from the Cherokee Nation it took just three and a half weeks to complete.” According to Harley L. Buzzard, director of the roads program for the Cherokee Nation, people on the other side of the bridge had to travel approximately four miles to get to Bartlesville and 850 vehicles used the bridge every day prior to it being condemned. “There’s around 100 houses on the other side of the bridge,” Brown said. “It’s one of the most wonderful things that the Cherokee Nation could have done for the city of Bartlesville and Washington County as a whole,” said Ted Lockin, mayor of Bartlesville. “It was a good cooperative effort between all parties involved,” said Anglen. “Cherokee Nation’s wisdom and vision on how to contribute to their community should make all of it’s members stand tall and proud of their accomplishments,” Lockin said. “There are a lot of Cherokees in Bartlesville and Washington County,” Smith said. “We just want to do our part to make sure they have safe roads to drive to work on and strong bridges for kids coming home from school.” The Cherokee Nation spent $61,423 toward the Sand Creek Bridge Project. Bridge #125, located on North 3970 road in Ramona, is “the longest bridge that the Washington county bridge crew has built,” said Jim Sheetz, Washington County commissioner. “It’s 58 feet long and 27 feet wide.” While visiting the bridge a local man, Smokey Hand, stopped to thank Sheetz. “Here are the men you need to thank,” responded Sheetz. “They funded the project that made this bridge possible,” acknowledging Smith and Anglen. “Buel Anglen has been a great leader for the Cherokee Nation in this area, helping get this bridge fixed,” said Smith said. “He heard about the need and we went right to work getting it fixed.” The Cherokee Nation contributed $38,899 to the Bridge #125 project. “This bridge was made to every specification imaginable,” Sheetz said. “It’ll be here a while.”
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