Downtown Streets Finished, Almost

By Emory Bryan, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- After almost a year of construction, downtown's street work is done, almost.

It was almost done when the BOK Center opened and that was of course the deadline. For the most part it was done, but there are still some details left, like planting trees and finishing sidewalks.

The streets are done, but the barrels remain. Some left behind, some waiting for another round of work.

"Every one of these projects has a punch list of items that were missed or needed to be corrected and for the first few events at the arena we wanted to be out of the way," said Albert Martinez, City of Tulsa

There are a few big jobs left, like rebuilding the median on Houston near 11th street, but most of what's left is cosmetic.

The city is installing brick pavers, finishing sidewalks and planting trees.

"I think it's fabulous," said one Tulsan.

The people who work downtown are glad the major construction is over.

"And I've seen it go downhill and now I'm seeing it come uphill and I'm excited about it," said another Tulsan.

With the downtown road work almost done, one of the last jobs is the installation of 260 signs, giving directions to downtown visitors.

"They are designed to direct people to all the events, the police station, the BOK Center," said Martinez.

Over the last few days, the city installed "Welcome to Downtown" signs at each of the off ramps from the IDL.

Large maps on pedestals are popping up to help people find their way.

Other than what left to do for looks, the city says any construction work is cleanup from what was already supposed to be done.

"And we have physically walked every one of these projects and you may hear complaints from people that this isn't done or that isn't done, we already know about that and it's on a list to get corrected," said Martinez.