From the eastern side of the Oklahoma City metro to the west, drivers will encounter some construction projects this week resulting in narrow highways and slowed traffic.
The State Department of Transportation has started replacement project on Interstate 40 and Interstate 44…three projects total. Two projects are on Interstate 40 in Del City and Yukon whilethe third is on I-44 in the southwest side of Oklahoma City.
An $80 million project on I-40 in Del City will replace six bridges at Sunnyland Road, SE 15th Street and Sooner Road. Five of the existing bridges are structurally deficient and have been the targets of emergency repairs over the past several years.
The construction will force the narrowing of Eastbound I-40 to two lanes and some ramps will be closed as well at all three sites. Work is not expected to be finished until the spring of 2023.
“Starting this project marks the beginning of the final chapter of the department’s 15-plus-year effort to bring state highway bridges from a 49th in the nation ranking into the Top 10 for good bridge conditions,” said transportation spokeswoman Terri Angier. “Restoring this corridor and lessening the number of disruptions to motorists for ongoing maintenance completes a long-term promise to the residents of eastern Oklahoma County and relieves a bottleneck to traffic heading to eastern Oklahoma.”
The $14 million Yukon project will involve construction of a new interchange at I-40 and Frisco Road which is one mile west of Garth Brooks Boulevard in Yukon.
Frisco Road over the interstate will be closed on Sept. 14 and the closure will last through the summer of next year.
Drivers also need to prepare for a year’s worth of traffic disruptions on I-44 in southwest Oklahoma City. Work will be on the interstate between I-40 and SW 74th street and also on State Highway 152 or Airport Road. Preparations will begin this week and it will affect traffic leaving Will Rogers World Airport and attempting to enter eastbound I-44.
It will be part of a $28 million project to improve at least nine bridges on I-44 between I-40 and SW 74 street.