Portion of the Gilcrease Expressway loop around north Tulsa almost done
A new loop for North Tulsa - that could spur economic development. News on Six reporter Emory Bryan says a bridge over US Highway 75 is the beginning of a northwest loop around Tulsa. <br><br>It will
Friday, January 17th 2003, 12:00 am
By: News On 6
A new loop for North Tulsa - that could spur economic development. News on Six reporter Emory Bryan says a bridge over US Highway 75 is the beginning of a northwest loop around Tulsa.
It will soon connect 75 to the Tisdale Parkway - and eventually - go all the way around downtown to I-44. The interchange connects Highway 75 and Highway 11. The new construction goes west - now over to Lewis - a short but significant step. It's the beginning of a major addition to Tulsa's highway system.
The Gilcrease Expressway - once it's done, will provide better connections through north Tulsa - and give thru traffic an alternative. The section from Highway 75 to Lewis will open in a couple of months. Folks on the north side are ready for some better roads. Driver: “They've been promising that for some time now, so when are they going to do it?â€
Like all highway projects - this one is slow, and is likely to take a long time. City of Tulsa traffic designer Henry SomdeCerff watches over the project for the city. The Gilcrease North will connect Highway 75 over to the Tisdale Parkway, right now we expect construction to be done in 3 or 4 years, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation contract presently under construction from Highway 75 over to Lewis should be done this spring.
The connection on the west side - at 36th Street North and the Tisdale Parkway - is certain - the money is there. The rest of it is still just on the drawing board. Driver: "I think it would be a great idea it would help the north side they have TCC out west, so some of us need to get out there quicker, I think." The connection at Highway 75 will open in March - giving north Lewis access to a better highway.
The work is just beginning on the connection to the Tisdale - and with traffic building - the demand is there for better roads on Tulsa's north side. There is already some new construction on houses and businesses. Once it's done, the city expects more interest in developing this part of north Tulsa.
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