Business Owners Happy Peoria At I-44 Is Back Open

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- The Oklahoma Department of Transportation gave Tulsa motorists and businesses an early Christmas gift this week. 

Peoria Avenue under I-44 was reopened to traffic late Tuesday afternoon. 

The street was closed back in mid-October in order for crews to build a 40-foot wide ditch for the I-44 widening project. 

12/1/2009 Related story: Peoria At I-44 In Tulsa Reopens To Traffic

One small business owner, Mary Hamblin of Chipos II, says the reopening of Peoria was great news.

"Our breakfast stayed pretty consistent but as far as lunch it dropped at least 30 percent.  I do want to say thank you for all those people who made their way around to see us and keep us open cause we're not only a small business, we're like a micro small business so every person counts for us," said Mary Hamblin.

ODOT says construction the project wrapped up 29 days ahead of schedule.