TULSA, Oklahoma - The City of Tulsa has released a detailed timeline for closing Riverside Drive to make room for "A Gathering Place."

Starting on Saturday, February 28th and running through Monday, March 1st, Riverside Drive will be closed between 21st and 31st Streets so workers can demolish the pedestrian bridge over Riverside Drive.

The city's engineer says a few weeks ago a piece of concrete broke off and hit a driver's windshield. For now, there's a net covering to help keep any other pieces from falling down on to traffic.

The original plan was to tear it down in six to eight months, but in its current condition -- the 1937 bridge is too much of a risk.

“We are ready to begin City infrastructure projects in coordination with the construction of the Gathering Place. The emergency demolition of the pedestrian bridge on Riverside Drive is of utmost priority. We have placed netting around the bridge as a safeguard while crews work on the nearby trails. The bridge demolition is scheduled for this weekend, in conjunction with upcoming park construction,” said Paul Zachary, City of Tulsa Director of Engineering Services.

The timeline for road and trail closures is:

  • Week of March 9: River Parks Bike and Pedestrian Trail between 35th Street and 27th Street and east end of Pedestrian Bridge over the Arkansas River
  • Week of March 16: 31st Street between Riverside Drive and Boston Place closed to all traffic but local traffic will be accessible on 31st Street between Boston Court and Peoria Avenue
  • Week of July 13: Riverside Drive between 24th Street and 35th Street closed to all traffic

Officials say construction of the $350 million Gathering Place project is making progress and the additional closures will allow large equipment to maneuver safely during the major construction phase making conditions safer for the public. 

“These infrastructure improvements will further enhance accessibility to and within the park and maintain Riverside Drive as a long-term commuter route,” said Jeff Stava, executive director of Tulsa's Gathering Place.

A Gathering Place construction is projected to last until late 2017 when Phase I of the park will be completed.