Highway 169 Undergoing Emergency Repairs Due To ‘Pavement Failure’

Drivers near Owasso could face delays for at least the next couple of months on Highway 169. That's because the Oklahoma Department of Transportation has declared an emergency in both directions because of pavement failure.

ODOT said this failure is related to the winter weather we had a couple of weeks ago.

ODOT said they first started noticing a problem on the highway near 46th Street North once temperatures climbed above freezing. Crews fixed several potholes, but shortly after, more damage started to appear.

ODOT has now closed one lane, both northbound and southbound.

They've also issued an emergency declaration, meaning they can expedite the process to issue bids for permanent repairs, estimated to cost around $1 million.

ODOT spokesperson Kenna Mitchell said they're evaluating damage right now and a contract is expected to be given out by the end of the month.

That means these lanes will be closed in both directions for at least the next two months, if not longer. Mitchell encourages drivers to be patient and if possible, find different routes during busy times.

"The area will stay narrowed right now for safety, and then again through the project as well,” said Mitchell. “So, there will be quite a bit of backup here especially during those rush hour times for the foreseeable future."

About 75,000 vehicles pass the area every single day.