Roads Close As ODOT Begins Work On New Projects

Drivers may notice some streets and lanes closed this week. Cones and road closing signs are common sights around Tulsa and some new projects are about to begin. One of them is the 3rd Street bridge over Highway 75.

“This is technically a separate project but we’re doing them right next to each other because we have that IDL project going on right now, the project rehabilitation and so we wanted to go ahead and get the third street project done as well," said TJ Gerlach.

Gerlach said the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is working on several projects at once, so drivers in those areas will be affected.

“A lot of it comes down to funding as well as just timing. You know as the funding comes online for certain projects that’s how we have to bid them out. So you know, they go to bid and then they’re awarded at our commission meetings," said Gerlach.

One major project discussed at the most recent commission in Muskogee was the floodwater impacts on bridges and highways in 2019.

“The US-62 project over the Arkansas River is going to be awarded and that’s going to be a pretty big project because we have to replace both of those stands over the river and that work will start in a couple of months after the award is made," said Gerlach.

Back in Tulsa, Gerlach said drivers who use 412 westbound should expect lanes closed this week while they work on finishing the frontage road for the new highway.

“ODOT has a sign and lighting project which is to put up signage for the turnpike Gilcrease Expressway that’s going to be opening up in a couple of months. So we’ve got signage going up over there and that’s on both sides of the turnpikes Gilcrease project," said Gerlach.

He said the Muskogee project should start in the summer and will last two years.