Construction Begins On State Highway 97

By Craig Day, The News On 6

SAND SPRINGS, OK -- Roadwork began Friday on a heavily traveled section of road between Sand Springs and Sapulpa.

State Highway 97 is a main link between the towns, and 32,000 vehicles a day have a rough ride over railroad tracks.

"It's bumpy there and obviously causes some problems for the railroad, and it also causes problems for every traveler that goes across there," said Paul Green with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation."

The Sand Springs Railway and ODOT are making upgrades to the crossing. They will take out part of the rail line and put down 120 feet of concrete underneath.

"It's a very busy road, you know, but obviously the railroad also feeds a lot of industry there that is important to Sand Springs, so it's good for everybody if we get the crossing repaired and the road is a lot smoother in the area," Green said.

State Highway 97 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction. State transportation workers say drivers will definitely need to give themselves extra time.

Vehicles wider than 12 feet are urged to use State Highway 51 near the Keystone Dam as an alternate route.

Drivers won't be inconvenienced for long. The construction is expected to be finished in about two weeks.