Buildings built over public roads?

Question

As an example, here's a McDonald's restaurant in Oklahoma, http://www.flickr.com/photos/7576734@N02/855557280/in/set-72157600909978772/

On this kind of property, who owns it? does it involve air rights? does the government own the property below and lease/sell the air rights? I've seen many buildings like this in European cities too where the buildings are built over rivers. And a couple of buildings like this in LA where I live.

Answer 1

That McDonald's pic looks a lot like an OK turnpike plaza that's been there for decades.  Any chance the McDonald's is just leasing space there?

Answer 2

They lease the air rights