Oklahoma: I-44 & US 75 Corridor Improvements Project

Megalith Gets Mega Funding to Ease Congestion  

Challenge: Just west of Tulsa stands a megalith locals affectionately dubbed “traffic henge.” Jutting up from the earth and reaching to the sky are support beams for future flyover ramps built during phase one of a five-phase reconstruction of the vital I-44 & US 75 Interchange, which the state identified as one of the most outdated, unsafe, and congested elements of Tulsa’s I-44 Corridor. It carries almost 150,000 vehicles, including about 21,000 trucks, on a typical day.  

Solution: With help from the bipartisan federal infrastructure investment law, the state is moving forward with the remaining phases of this critical mega project. Improvements include completing flyover ramps; new bridges at the Arkansas River, West 51st Street and West 61st Street; a new US-75 frontage road; and improvements to Skelly Drive. Safer modes of travel for cyclists and pedestrians will also be included with new sidewalks along West 51st and 61st streets, 49th W. Avenue, and Skelly Drive. A new pedestrian bridge will be built over railroad tracks connecting Tulsa’s River Parks Trail, and bike lanes will be added on West. 61st St. 

What they’re saying: “This is exciting and welcome news for the Tulsa area and the state of Oklahoma. I-44 and US-75 are vital travel, freight and commuter corridors across the state and this Mega Grant will help us complete much needed safety and operational improvements at this highly traveled interchange.” – Executive Director ODOT, Tim Gatz (Oklahoma.gov Press Release, 01/31/2023)  

Image taken from YouTube channel KJRH -TV, Tulsa, Channel 2