Construction Work Causes Traffic Shift On I-44 In Tulsa

With I-44 through Tulsa under construction, even light traffic can get bumper to bumper at a moment's notice.

And with widening efforts creeping west, more barrels and flashing lights are expected.

This past weekend I-44 traffic was narrowed to just one lane in each direction in order to shift westbound traffic onto new pavement.

But officials with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation say the biggest changes will be in how you get on and off the highway.

The I-44 westbound on-ramp at Lewis will be closed until further notice. Drivers are advised to take the Harvard or Peoria entrances.

And that's promising to add more congestion to the Peoria area, which is already feeling the effects of construction.

"So all that Lewis traffic is going to get funneled to Peoria to access the onramp there. We've already got Peoria narrowed to one lane for some reconstruction at that junction. So there's going to be some tie-ups," said Kenna Mitchell with ODOT.

ODOT is also shifting the westbound exit ramp to Peoria much farther east. In fact, it's just after you pass under the Lewis bridge.  Drivers are going to have to keep their eyes peeled.

"If they don't follow the signs, if they miss that new ramp, they're going to have to go across the Arkansas River bridge to 75 to turn around come back eastbound. So it's crucial that they pay attention to the signs, Mitchell said.

With all the lane changes and ramp switches, Mitchell said ODOT is asking drivers to take it easy on those accelerators.

"Really, we're emphasizing just go slow on Monday. Pay extra attention to the signs. Give yourself a lot of extra travel time if you have to be in this corridor Monday morning," Mitchell said.

For the latest road construction updates in the Tulsa area check out our Daily Detour page.