State discusses plans for the widening of I-44 in Tulsa

Thursday, November 3rd 2005, 5:44 am

By: News On 6

There is a scheduled meeting Thursday about the expansion of I-44. Dozens of property owners will see the proposed designs of the expansion and how it will affect their homes and businesses.

6 in the Morning reporter Omar Villafranca says the Oklahoma Department of Transportation plans on widening I-44 from Yale to the Arkansas River. What's not known is how the project will affect businesses and people living in nearby neighborhoods.

The stretch of highway is one of the busiest in Tulsa, but only runs two lanes east and west. Cars and trucks pass just a few yards from many businesses. Property owners don't know if they will have to move their business or homes to make room for the expansion or if they'll survive the widening.

The state managed to secure $118-million for the expansion, which should get the project started.

Now, people just want to know where they stand. The meeting will hopefully answer some of those questions. It's scheduled to start at 6 PM Thursday at Southern Hills Baptist Church at 5590 South Lewis.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has a map, outlining the planned path of the road. Click Here to view that map [pdf file].