Construction Projects To Help Straighten Out Collinsville

Sunday, March 18th 2007, 8:54 pm

By: News On 6

A couple of construction projects in Collinsville will straighten out traffic problems that the town has dealt with for decades. Many people in Collinsville have watched as work continues on a new bridge along Broadway. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports it's a bigger deal considering the old bridge was damaged and closed 20 years ago.

"It used to be a one lane bridge. It will be a two lane bridge now. The road will be wider, and it also allows us to open up some potential commercial districts on the east side," said Collinsville Mayor Stan Sallee.

Sallee says the project is at its halfway point. Bridge supports will be brought in next week. The $400,000 project is being paid for by the Cherokee Nation with Tulsa County crews doing the work. While that work is well underway on this project, many other people who live in Collinsville or who travel through town wonder when another important road project will begin.

That project would straighten out Collinsville's "S" curve.

"It is a tremendously dangerous road," said Sallee. "Six or seven roads interchange with this â€œSâ€ curve."

That â€œSâ€ Curve is on the west side of downtown along Highway 20. The confusing road has led to accidents and a lot of near misses every single day.

"It's been supposed to happen for 20 years or more now,â€ said Collinville resident Tina Forbes. â€œSo I'm really glad it's going to straighten out a little bit."

Sallee says the State Transportation Department has surveyed the area and is in discussion with property owners to acquire land. The mayor hopes construction begins toward the end of this year and once the â€œSâ€ curve is straightened out, it will make a nice entrance to the community.

The Broadway bridge should open next month. There is no date yet for the $4 million job to straighten out the "S" curve.