Collinsville Road Project Takes 'S' From Dangerous S Curve

If you had a dangerous intersection where you live, where people have wrecks all the time, you'd want it fixed. People in one Tulsa County town have dealt with that dangerous dilemma for decades, but now crews are eliminating the confusion in Collinsville by taking out the "S" in the S curve.

Patricia Hamblen has lived on the corner of 19th and Broadway in Collinsville for several years.

"It's been scary," she said.

Scary as in "S" curve scary - a stretch where several other streets intersect U.S. Highway 20 heading out of town, right along a big curve. The curve is from 22nd street, east to 14th Street.

"There are near misses almost hourly and wrecks almost daily," said Collinsville Mayor Stan Sallee.

That's what scares Patricia Hamblen.

"Bam, they get hit," the Collinsville resident said.

Most locals know how to navigate the mix of roads, but for visiting drivers, it's an avenue of uncertainty.

"Right now, it's a pretty threatening obstacle to get around," Mayor Sallee said.

Hamblen is afraid someone might be injured or killed – perhaps wrecking through her house.

4/4/2011 Related Story: Dangerous Curve On Highway 20 In Collinsville To Be Replaced

Work is underway to straighten Collinsville's confusing curve. The $4 million project is a 50/50 partnership between the state - which paid for right of way purchase and relocation of utilities – and Tulsa County, which is covering construction.

Taking the S out of the S curve is something Mayor Stan Sallee and other city leaders have wanted for some time.

"It goes back decades. This road has well lived out its design," Sallee said.

The 4 to Fix the County tax money will straighten the curve, add traffic lights, sidewalks and cross walks.

At 19th Street, the road will be five lanes.

"Traffic is going to be flowing more better, so it's going to be all right," said driver Ray Ramirez.

Many say it will be even better than all right - it will be great. Patricia Hamblen is a part of that crowd.

"I'm excited that we're finally going to get some help on this corner because we needed a light or something here for years," said Collinsville resident Patricia Hamblen.

"The whole town is going to be happy," Ramirez said.

The project is expected to be finished in January.