$3.2 Million Construction Project To Begin In Sand Springs

NewsOn6.com

SAND SPRINGS, OK -- Construction begins Jan. 4th on a $3.2 million Oklahoma Department of Transportation project in Sand Springs. Contractors will widen Wekiwa Road to three lanes and improve its intersection with Highway 97 and the Sand Springs Expressway.

The roadway will remain open to eastbound traffic throughout the project, and access will be available to nearby businesses and neighborhoods, according to Andy Templeton, Sand Springs spokesman.

Westbound traffic will need to follow detours during different phases of construction.

The project's first phase will begin just east of the Case Community Center entrance and extend to Short Street. The second phase will extend from Short Street eastward to Highway 97.

Starting around Jan. 18th, drivers will only be able to travel eastbound through the first phase construction zone between the Case Center and Short Street.

Two-way traffic will be maintained from Highway 97 to Short Street – including businesses at Cimarron Plaza and Cimarron Center.

"We realize this is going to cause some inconveniences to drivers who use Wekiwa Road. However, we anticipate that the detours being implemented will get drivers where they need to go with only minimal delays," said Asst. City Engineer Jesse Vaverka.

When complete, the new road will add a center left-turn lane to provide safer access for westbound traffic turning into Cimarron Plaza and Cimarron Center businesses, as well as Hall Addition residences and River City Park. West of River City Park Road, the roadway will transition back to two lanes.

The intersection with Highway 97 will be modified for eastbound traffic to provide a dedicated right turn lane, a center lane where vehicles can access the Sand Springs Expressway or turn right, and a dedicated left turn lane.

A 10-foot sidewalk will be built along the south side of the roadway to give pedestrians access to commercial areas, River City Park and the Case Center. The existing box culvert spanning Franklin Creek will be extended to the south. The road's surface will be concrete throughout its entire .7-mile length.