Rain-Related Hazards Cause Traffic Problems On Tulsa Area Roads

Heavy rain combined with potholes created dangerous conditions for drivers in Tulsa on Tuesday morning. 

Both sides of Interstate 44 at Peoria were backed up after a temporary median was pushed into the road.  

Problems were also reported on the westbound Broken Arrow Expressway at Sheridan Road. A hole reportedly opened up in the roadway there.

Several cars were disabled on southbound Highway 75 south of the 21st Street exit after hitting potholes covered with water. Crews have been at the scene doing temporary patches.

In Broken Arrow, multiple roads are closed because of high water, including 41st to 51st on 305th East Avenue and 273rd East Avenue, between 41st and 51st.

Drivers were getting flats as they drove over the rain-covered holes. The potholes are in the right lane, and drivers were urged to stay to the left on that section of the highway.

ODOT released the following information Tuesday morning:

All lanes of the westbound I-44 frontage road between Peoria Avenue and Riverside Drive, and the westbound I-44 on-ramp from Peoria Ave. are closed until further notice for emergency repairs due to the weather.

As a reminder, the westbound I-44 on-ramp at Lewis Ave. remains closed for construction. Access to westbound I-44 can be found at interchanges further east, such as Harvard Ave. or Yale Avenue.

Drivers are urged to plan ahead in locating an alternate route for the morning commute, and to allow for extra travel time.

3/19/2012 Related Story: High Water Closes Tulsa Streets, State Highway

Collisions were reported throughout the metro area Tuesday. Tulsa is operating under its Slick Streets policy. Police will not respond to non-injury accidents.

Riverside Drive between 21st and 31st is back open, and City of Tulsa crews were removing barriers at most other areas by mid-day Tuesday as rains lightened and water flows lessened.