Sooner State News

The City of Tulsa, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), will conduct a ceremonial groundbreaking for the I-44/US-75 interchange project. The event is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23.

This development marks the completion of the interchange, filling a gap where empty bridge piers were erected in an earlier construction phase in 2023. The initial construction of these piers was part of an effort to use available funding efficiently and minimize traffic disruptions.

"The empty piers on site were constructed in an earlier phase due to available funding and to save construction time as well as reduce traffic impacts during the remaining work," reads the project report. Locals have referred to the site as "Traffic Henge" or "Tulsa Stonehenge."

Several leaders will address attendees, including Senator James Lankford, Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols, Tulsa City Council Chair Phil Lakin Jr., Tulsa County Commissioner Lonnie Sims, and ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz.

The $252 million contract for the project was granted in October 2024 to Manhattan Road and Bridge by the Oklahoma Transportation Commission. The work will involve a reconfiguration of the I-44/US-75 interchange with additional improvements such as expanding US-75 between 71st Street and 41st Street, replacing the US-75 interchange at 61st Street, constructing a new frontage road between 61st Street and Skelly Drive, extending and connecting 51st Street under US-75, and constructing a pedestrian bridge over the railroad along 51st Street near Elwood Avenue.

A subsequent project aims to continue the widening of I-44 between the I-44/I-244 Western Split and the Arkansas River.

The groundbreaking ceremony will be located south of 51st Street and east of Union Avenue, near the northwest corner of the interchange, across from the Linda-Mar Drive-in at 1614 W. 51st Street. On-site parking is available, but attendees are advised not to park in the Linda-Mar parking lot.