Second Phase Of Tulsa's IDL Construction Almost Complete

By Dan Bewley & Scott Thompson, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The inner dispersal loop that winds around downtown Tulsa is one of the busiest set of roads in the city.

For the last nine-and-a-half months, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation has been working on the north and west legs of the IDL.

"Since last July we have been removing old pavement, old bridge decks, and putting brand new on top of the old subgrade," Jennifer Tyler, Project Manager, said.

During that time the westbound traffic on those legs has been shut off, but that's about to change. ODOT says work will be finished on phase two in two weeks, then phase three will begin which means another set of traffic signals and detours.

"Again, please be patient with us. The switch, it's going to be different for everyone, different for us that are out there working, and different for those that are driving," Tyler said. "So just be patient and slow down in construction zones."

When the next phase begins the eastbound lanes on the north and west legs will be closed and drivers will be able to go counter clockwise around the IDL.

The $75 million project was paid for through the stimulus program and the work is expected to last 40 years.

ODOT admits the closures may cause a few headaches but says it's just as ready as anyone to get it finished.

"It absolutely needed to be done for anyone who drives around downtown Tulsa," Tyler said. "It was just an absolute mess trying to dodge potholes and now, for those that are driving southbound on the west leg it's absolutely wonderful."

ODOT began work on the massive project last July.  Phase One involved rehabilitating smaller parts of the IDL so that they'd be ready when Phase Two, the complete rebuilding of the westbound lanes of the north and west legs, began. 

See which lanes ODOT will be open and which lanes will closed during the next phase of construction. 

1/17/2010 Related Story: Minnesota Congressman Visits Tulsa's IDL Construction Project