Second Hole In I-44 Bridge Forces Lane Closure Again

It may not be until Tuesday or Wednesday before a westbound lane of I-44 over 165th East Avenue is reopened to traffic after a second hole is discovered in the highway's bridge deck Sunday morning. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=12016302">Catoosa Highway Reopens After Huge Hole Repaired</a> | <a href="ODOT recently signed a $7 million contract to replace the bridge, but the work will take almost a year.">Bridge Tracker</a>

Sunday, February 21st 2010, 9:37 am

By: News On 6

Second Hole In I-44 Bridge Forces Lane Closure Again

NewsOn6.com

CATOOSA, OK -- Another hole opened up Sunday morning in a crumbling section of Interstate 44 in Catoosa, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation reported, and two lanes of traffic are now closed.

"The right lane of westbound I-44 is closed at the 161st St. E. Ave. junction, and all lanes of 165th E. Ave. are closed underneath I-44 until further notice," ODOT announced in a news release.

Crews shut down the lane when the new hole was discovered in the bridge deck, a bit further west than the large hole that opened up Friday morning, slowing commuter traffic and damaging several cars.

This time, only one car was damaged before traffic was diverted.

"Certainly it's frustrating for us. I wish we had a crystal ball and we could tell which bridge was going to be a problem for us," said Randle White, who is an ODOT engineer.

White says the bridge is already deteriorating and the winter weather is not helping.

ODOT reports the westbound lane will likely remain closed for several days.

The right lane of eastbound I-44 is also closed at the 161st E. Ave. junction until further notice. Sunday night crews discovered an area of deteriorating pavement, and closed the lane so that preventative maintenance work can be performed. While this section of pavement does not have a hole in the deck, the work is being done as a safety precaution.

The eastbound lane closure on I-44 is expected to reopen to traffic on Monday.

In January, workers began the year-long process of replacing both bridges. Traffic has already been slowed, and the potholes may mean more delays.

Drivers are urged to plan for extra time to travel through this area, or to find another route if possible.

The bridge was built in 1958.

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