Work On ODOT's I-44 Widening Project Continues In Tulsa

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- As part of a massive widening project, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is set to close another on-ramp in the area near I-44 and Peoria this week.

For those who drive near I-44 and Peoria, dealing with construction is nothing new.

There will be an added detour starting on Tuesday morning. That's when the westbound on-ramp will be closed to traffic.

Add that to the already closed ramps on Riverside, and the options for exiting I-44 are limited.

If you need to get on I-44 heading westbound, you'll need to do so on Lewis.

"Because of that we've had to go in, close down the frontage road between Peoria and Riverside, and also close the off-ramp there to Riverside and the on-ramp," said ODOT Spokesperson Kenna Mitchell.

In fact, ODOT reports the Riverside ramps should be back open in a few weeks and the Peoria off-ramps, as well as the eastbound on-ramp, will not be affected.

8/10/2009  Related Story: Work On Tulsa's I-44 Widening Project Continues

This is all part of the most expensive job ever bid out by the agency.

Work started in January and the $330 million project will widen the highway from four to six lanes from Riverside to Yale, as well as improve the ramps.

ODOT officials say the finished product will make all the hassle well worth it.

"This is to allow crews to go in, finish up some work there in that corner, and that will help them eventually be able to open up the area around Riverside," said Kenna Mitchell.

Construction in that area will be a way of life for a while. The entire project is not expected to be completed until late 2012.