ODOT To Begin New Construction Project At I-44, US-169 Interchange

A major project is about to begin at the interchange of I-44 and US 169 starting on Monday, November 7. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) calls it an interchange improvement project with some bridge rehabilitation included as well.

ODOT says it will be improving the pavement conditions on all of the ramps as well as constructing a new ramp from northbound 169 to westbound I-44, so drivers should expect lane closures for the duration of the project.

"This is a very congested area, especially during the rush-hour times. So we’re going to have lane closures for the majority of the project on both 44 and 169. We’re going to have reduced speed limits on both highways. It's going to be 55 miles an hour through that work zone," TJ Gerlach, ODOT's spokesperson said.

On top of lane closures, there will be a roughly six-to-eight-week period in which some of the ramps will also be closed. Gerlach said that ODOT will give drivers advanced notice when this happens so they can prepare.

Gerlach said that with all of this work set to start in a busy area, drivers need to be extra cautious.

"As with all of our work zones, we want people to pay attention and put down the cell phone. Please drive carefully, pay attention to the speed limit. These work zones are the office space for these workers that are out there, and they don’t want anybody causing undue commotion and putting them in harm's way," Gerlach said.

The project is set to be completed in late 2023 or early 2024. In addition to the project starting on November 7, another project to redo the bridge from northbound 169 to westbound I-244, just a few miles north of this project, will be getting started in early 2023.