Broken Arrow Street Widening Project To Begin Tuesday

Drivers in Broken Arrow need to watch for a new road project that will take up most of the year. The city is rebuilding a mile long stretch that sees thousands of vehicles every day.

Twenty five thousand cars, trucks, and motorcycles drive this stretch of road every day in Broken Arrow. This is Elm Place or 161st East Avenue. From Kenosha to Houston, that's 71st to 81st.

12/29/2011 Related Story: Drivers Urged To Avoid Broken Arrow's Elm Place Between 71st And 81st

"This road gets a lot of turning movements which causes delays and potential traffic problems, mainly safety issues, so it's going to be a lot safer road once we get complete," Kenneth Schwab said.

Beginning Tuesday, the city will begin rebuilding the road. It's being for by a bond that was approved in 2008.

"It's going to take the existing roadway from four lanes to five lanes. It's going to be a continuous left hand turn lane for a full mile much like the other places along Elm," Schwab said.

"Once it's completed it's going to be a nice five lane roadway with dedicated turn lanes, curbs, sidewalks, and some drainage improvements," said Sgt. Ed Ferguson with the Broken Arrow Police Department.

The project will begin on the west side of the street, creating one lane in each direction. The speed limit will also drop here to 25 mph and Broken Arrow police is asking drivers to be aware of the workers and slower traffic.

"You have to be prepared to stop at any given time while you're driving through here, you have to make sure you maintain a safe speed which is why we're posting it as 25 mph, and you have to be attentive," Sgt. Ferguson said.

The project is expected to finish in late August and, until then, Broken Arrow police say the best course of action is to simply stay away from the construction zone and find another way around town.

"So our best advice to motorists, beginning Tuesday if you do not have to drive on Elm Place we would suggest that you divert to another route of travel," Sgt. Ferguson said.