Major Roadwork Targets Deficient Bridges

Beginning Tuesday drivers near Del City and by Will Rogers World Airport will see congestion as two Oklahoma Department of Transportation projects begin.

Together, the I-40 and I-44 projects will remove 10 structurally deficient bridges and cost a total of $108 million.

“This I-40 project in Del City is one of the most significant projects that we’ve been trying to do and talked about for years and we’re finally here,” ODOT Spokeswoman Terri Angier said.

Eastbound I-40 will be narrowed to two lanes between Sunnylane Rd. and Hudiburg Dr. during daytime hours and will be down to one lane a night. The project is expected to take two years.

“Lots of disruptions and headaches,” Angier said, urging drivers to avoid the area. “But if they must drive here and that’s the only possibility, please allow extra time. As it is it's congested now and there’s going to be a lot more congestion come Tuesday morning.”

Down by the airport, a year’s worth of disruptions begins on I-44 south of the Oklahoma River.

“Nine bridges through there from basically Oklahoma river south, five of those are structurally deficient,” ODOT Engineer Rick Howland said.

The I-44 on-ramp leaving the airport on eastbound state highway 152 will be closed for a month beginning Tuesday.

ODOT said the project will significantly impact Will Rogers World Airport traffic beginning in mid-September.

You can read more on the projects here.