Setbacks Have Vinita Service Plaza Remodel Behind Schedule, Over Budget

The big renovation at the McDonald's Service Plaza on the Will Rogers Turnpike in Vinita is running behind schedule, going over its $14 million budget.

The project was slated to be done sometime this summer, but traffic is still down to one lane in both directions as crews try to finish.

"You're remodeling a 1957 structure, you're going to discover some ‘ah ha's' when you open that up," said Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Executive Director, Tim Stewart.

The year-long project is running over budget and won't be completed until the end of the year.

6/25/2013 Related Story: Major Remodel Of Will Rogers Turnpike's Vinita Service Plaza Underway

Stewart said the contractor uncovered some problems when they started to renovate the service plaza.

"That is a suspended bridge over the roadway and it had some structural deterioration below the facade that we were unaware of," he said.

Stewart said crews found plumbing lines wrapped in asbestos which forced a shutdown of the project.

"It's a remodel,” said Stewart. “I don't know how many of you have remodeled your home - you go in, start tearing out stuff, you make some assumptions about what it will take - but when you get into it you find you've uncovered some problems that needed to be corrected."

Funds for the service plaza are coming from toll revenues and last month, the Turnpike Authority approved more money for the project.

"The original project was anticipated to be about a $14.6 million project, we think we'll be about $15.2, $15.3, could be as much at $15.5, we won't know until we final everything and do an accounting of all investment into that site," Stewart said.

Despite the setbacks, drivers will dine in a new McDonalds and Subway.

The service plaza is honoring Oklahoma's favorite son, it's being renamed the Will Rogers Archway and will feature a restored statue of the cowboy inside the glass house.

8/26/2014 Related Story: Vinita Service Plaza On I-44 Renamed 'Will Rogers Archway'

The Turnpike Authority said they hope to open up some of the lanes on Wednesday and have it all open and ready for the Thanksgiving holiday.

As for the service plaza, they hope to have it open before the end of the year.