State Re-Opens West Leg Of Tulsa's IDL Early Thursday Morning

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma – The west leg of the Inner Dispersal Loop, or eastbound I-244, in downtown Tulsa was reopened in time for the Thursday morning commute, according to Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

ODOT said drivers should still expect short-term closures while crews take down the detour signs that routed traffic away from the construction.

The work is part of a $75 million reconstruction project. It's Tulsa's largest stimulus-funded project.

Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez got a firsthand look at its progress Tuesday.

10/26/2010 Related Story: Federal Highway Official Gets Up Close Look At Tulsa Highway Project

"We're rebuilding America's economy by rebuilding America," Mendez said. "Here in Oklahoma we have committed more than $464 million in recovery act funding to 272 projects."

Mendez said more than half of those projects are underway or have been completed

ODOT said the north leg of the IDL is expected to remain closed until early 2011.