City and tribal leaders cut ribbon on MAPS 4 pedestrian bridge and EMBARK’s First Americans Museum Landing

September 8. 2025

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.

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