Repairing Tulsa's Streets Around The Clock?

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- As the City of Tulsa begins scheduling a massive road repair program, the City Council is looking into the costs and benefits of having the work done around the clock.

Some City Councilors are concerned that long term road projects could hurt businesses near the construction.

The Assistant Director of Public Works, Paul Zachary, told councilors there are advantages to scheduling construction around the clock, but many more disadvantages - including higher cost and increased danger for drivers.

City of Tulsa contracts now limit most work to the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Emergency repairs are done regardless of the hour.

Zachary told councilors that when crews work late at night, nearby residents complain about the noise. And Zachary said even the cost of materials are higher when they're delivered after normal business hours. Zachary said ODOT pays $75 per ton for asphalt delivered during the day, but $125 per ton when it's delivered at night.

Read Public Works brief on the topic.