City cuts ribbon on MAPS 4 pedestrian bridge, EMBARK's FAM landing

Published on September 08, 2025

City and Chickasaw Nation leaders cut the ribbon today on two new projects along the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City's Horizons District.

The first project is a new MAPS 4 pedestrian bridge that spans 614 feet over the Oklahoma River, just north of the OKANA Resort & Waterpark. The bridge connects to the four-mile Greenway River Trail on the north shore at Eastern Avenue. Built from concrete and steel, the $6.7 million bridge combines durability with style, bringing decorative elements and lighting to the riverfront.

The second project, the First Americans Museum Landing, has reached substantial completion, marking a major milestone in the development of this transformative project. Funded through a public-private partnership involving EMBARK, the City of Oklahoma City, Federal Transit Administration, and the Chickasaw Nation, the $6.7 million project will be the sixth public ferry landing along the Oklahoma River. Opening for service in spring 2026, this new landing will extend EMBARK’s Oklahoma River Cruises public ferry service eastward, enhancing connectivity to other ferry landings like Bricktown, Stockyards and Regatta Park. The landing will also increase accessibility and transit options to the area, specifically serving the OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark and the First Americans Museum.

“Home to OKANA and FAM, the Horizons District is already established as a major cultural and entertainment destination,” Mayor David Holt said. “And just down the Oklahoma River is RIVERSPORT, which is hosting unprecedented visitors and events, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. We obviously want to establish as much connectivity as possible between all of these major amenities, and that is why we committed to this MAPS 4 pedestrian bridge and EMBARK boat landing. We’re excited to see all of these visions becoming reality, and that wouldn’t be possible without our continued partnership with the Chickasaw Nation, for which we remain grateful.”

While passenger service will not begin today, EMBARK and HMS Ferries will start the service-testing phase. The public can expect to see ferries docking and leaving from the First Americans Museum Landing during regular service hours, but should remember that the landing will not be open to the public until the spring 2026 operating season begins.

EMBARK received three grants to support the design and construction of the new First Americans Museum Landing, including $5.2 million from the Federal Transit Administration and a $1 million local match from the Chickasaw Nation to construct the project.

“Together, these two projects create a seamless connection linking First Americans Museum and OKANA with downtown Oklahoma City,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. “We are grateful to the City of Oklahoma City and every partner agency for making this possible. We have built access, momentum and opportunity that will serve all Oklahomans—and strengthen our tourism economy—for decades.”

Both projects were designed by TEIM Design and built by Manhattan Road and Bridge.

Learn more about the MAPS 4 project at okc.gov/MAPS4.

Learn more about the Oklahoma River Cruises service at okrivercruises.com.

About MAPS 4
MAPS 4 is a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax that will raise a projected $1.07 billion over eight years. Oklahoma City voters approved the sales tax to fund MAPS 4 in a special election on Dec. 10, 2019, moving forward with a unique and ambitious plan to transform our community. The temporary penny sales tax funding MAPS 4 began April 1, 2020, and ends in 2028. More than 70 percent of MAPS 4 funding is dedicated to neighborhood and human needs. The rest is for quality of life and job-creating initiatives. The MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board and its six subcommittees will guide MAPS 4 planning and implementation, making recommendations to the City Council. The Council has final authority on MAPS 4. The MAPS Investment and Operating Trust developed a strategic investment plan to support long-term sustainable funding for MAPS 4 projects' operational expenses and maintenance. Visit okc.gov/maps4 for more.

About EMBARK
EMBARK is the business unit of the Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority (COTPA) – a public trust administered by the City of Oklahoma City.

EMBARK's vision is to be world-class transportation that is accessible to all, and all who want to access it. EMBARK's mission is to be a self-sustaining transportation network that removes barriers of location and socioeconomic status, while elevating the status and use of public transportation so all central Oklahomans can safely and quickly reach their destination.

Media contacts:

City of OKC: Liz Worsham Shoemake, (405) 297-3834, liz.worsham@okc.gov

EMBARK: Armando Reyes, (405) 826-0700, armando.reyes@okc.gov