Sen. Lankford, City of Tulsa and ODOT break ground on $252 million ‘Tulsa Stonehenge’ project
Sen. James Lankford joined the City of Tulsa and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to break ground on the next phase of the I-44/US-75 interchange improvement project on Wednesday, April 23. The long-anticipated project will complete the interchange dubbed “Traffic Henge” or “Tulsa Stonehenge” by area residents.
“The I-44/US-75 interchange in Tulsa is Oklahoma’s largest single investment in transportation infrastructure ever, totaling $252 million, and will update a very busy interchange along two equally busy corridors,” said ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz. “I-44 and US-75 carry a significant amount of both local and regional traffic through the Tulsa area. This project will make the interchange function much more efficiently while also improving safety for the traveling public. We appreciate the efforts of our congressional representatives, especially Sen. James Lankford, for helping ODOT to earn two federal grants totaling $95 million to help complete the work. I also want to thank the City of Tulsa, Tulsa County and INCOG for their collaboration.”
The empty bridge piers at the interchange have been standing since the completion of the first phase of the interchange in early 2023, leading to its monumental moniker. That first $90 million project included widening I-44 between the Arkansas River and Union Ave., reconstructing five bridges around the interchange, as well as reconfiguring several ramps and constructing the “Traffic Henge” piers. The piers were built at that time due to available funding and to save time as well as reduce traffic impacts during the remaining work.
“Today’s groundbreaking is a major milestone for Tulsa and our entire state,” Lankford said. “This interchange has been a priority for decades, and today’s groundbreaking marks the result of tireless collaboration between federal, state, and local partners. I’m proud we secured the federal support needed to get this done. Improving this corridor isn’t just about concrete and steel—it’s about safer roads, better commutes, and a stronger foundation for Tulsa and Oklahoma’s growth.”
ODOT received two separate federal grants to help fund the Traffic Henge project. In August 2022, the department received a $10 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant to help fund extending and reconnecting 51st St. under US-75, which was cut off when the highway was built. The RAISE grant also funded pedestrian improvements along 51st, including a bridge crossing the Union Pacific Railroad. A few months later in January 2023, ODOT received an $85 million National Infrastructure Project Assistance grant, or Mega grant, to help fund three planned phases of the construction around the interchange. Those three phases were combined into the current project.
The current project will complete the reconfiguration of the I-44/US-75 interchange. Other improvements during this phase include:
- Widening US-75 between 71st St. and 41st St.
- Replacing the US-75 interchange at 61st St.
- Building new frontage road between 61st St. and Skelly Dr.
- Extending and connecting 51st St. under US-75
- Constructing pedestrian bridge over railroad along 51st St. near Elwood Ave.
- Constructing 17 bridges in the project area
"The improvements to the I-44 and US-75 interchange represent a critical investment in Tulsa's infrastructure and long-term growth,” said Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols. “This project will make one of our busiest corridors safer, less congested and better connected for the people who rely on it every day. We're proud to work alongside our federal and state partners to strengthen Tulsa's transportation network and support continued growth across our city."
The $252 million project was awarded in October 2024 by the Oklahoma Transportation Commission to Manhattan Road and Bridge. Completion is anticipated in summer 2028, weather permitting. About 150,000 vehicles pass through the interchange on a typical day, including about 21,000 trucks. A future project is scheduled in ODOT’s Eight Year Construction Plan tentatively for 2029 to complete the widening of I-44 between the I-44/I-244 Western Split and the Arkansas River.
Sen. James Lankford joined the City of Tulsa and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for a groundbreaking ceremony at the interchange of I-44 and US-75 in Tulsa, known as “Tulsa’s Stonehenge” or “Traffic Henge.” The $252 million project is anticipated to be completed in summer 2028 and will completely reconfigure the interchange to improve safety and efficiency for the traveling public.
