Construction work to begin Monday on US Highway 169

Construction on US Highway 169 begins Monday in Tulsa. <br/><br/>Paul Green with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation: "It's a major, major project for us."<br/><br/>And for the nearly 100,000

Sunday, January 2nd 2005, 6:53 pm

By: News On 6

Construction on US Highway 169 begins Monday in Tulsa.

Paul Green with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation: "It's a major, major project for us."

And for the nearly 100,000 commuters who use 169 between I-44 and I-244.

Although the project's just a little longer than a mile it comes with a $16.8-million price tag and big expectations from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Paul Green says the widening project will make an immediate and lasting impact.

"It's a short term pain for a long term gain, if you will. I think it's going to benifit us greatly."

Over the next 18 months, ODOT will expand US Highway 169 from four to six lanes, adding a lane in each direction.

But motorists won't just run into construction roadblocks on the main highway. Theyâ€™ll also funnel to one lane in each direction on Admiral and 11th street for parts of the project. 4th Street will shut-down completely so crews will have some elbow room for equipment and staging.

"We want to get the road built and we want to get it built fast but, some of that is going to cause an inconvenience to the traveling public. We really ask that they pay attention to our orange signs and drive safely and carefully through the construction zone because that's where most of our accidents happen."

Green says safety is the number one concern when it comes to major construction projects like this one so drivers should slow down, and pay attention.

"Just think of what five minutes means to somebody losing their life. That's what you're comparing it to."