Highway 20 Rebuild Ahead Of Schedule

News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports construction crews are busy working to fix damage caused when part of the highway slid down Keetonville Hill.

Thursday, May 29th 2008, 4:24 pm

By: News On 6

Work is going well on the project along Highway 20. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports construction crews are busy working to fix damage caused when part of the highway slid down Keetonville Hill between Owasso and Claremore.

So far, the weather has cooperated and crews are ahead of schedule. For the thousands of people who travel the road, that comes as good news.

The stretch of Highway 20 on Keetonville Hill looks a lot different than it did only a month ago. Heavy rain caused part of the roadbed to slide down the hill. ODOT blocked all traffic on the road until the hillside was strengthened and supports could be added.

"I go down there every other day or every two days just to see what's going on," said Wilson Lamason of Rogers County.

Wilson Lamason has been watching the progress from his home at the top of the hill. Like many people in the area, the road closure is an inconvenience.

"The other thing that really impacted us is our daughter lives a mile just below the river bridge. It took us five minutes to get to her house before. Now, it takes us 45 to an hour," said Wilson Lamason.

Construction crews put rock at the bottom to reinforce the hill. The road has been torn out, and supports are now embedded up to 35 feet into the ground. Two retaining walls are also finished.

There are big incentives to finish the job early and to get the road opened as soon as possible for the 10,000 cars that travel down the highway each day. It includes $18,000 a day for each day crews finish early.

"They're making good progress. Because they are really moving. I think the incentive has brought a lot of results you might say," said Wilson Lamason.

Crews should start putting in asphalt on the road by Monday. When that's finished, it won't be much longer before the road is reopened, which Wilson Lamason is looking forward to.

The project is ahead of schedule right now. The road is expected to be open by the end of June.

04/29/2008 Repair Work Begins On State Highway 20