SH-152/Airport Rd. ramp closure and I-44 rehabilitation south of I-40 in Oklahoma City affects Will Rogers World Airport traffic through spring 2022
Two projects beginning Sept. 8, 2020 will significantly affect traffic on I-44 and SH-152/Airport Rd. in southwest Oklahoma City, including Will Rogers World Airport. Drivers should plan extra travel time in this area.
*Check the latest daily OKC Traffic Advisory at https://oklahoma.gov/odot/citizen/traffic-advisories.html
SH-152/Airport Rd. ramp to I-44 bridge rehabilitation - COMPLETE
(Note: While I-44 runs north-south in this area, I-44 is an east-west interstate and locations are referred to as eastbound and westbound.)
Traffic Impacts - ***Work on SH-152 ramp complete***
- This project to rehabilitate the eastbound SH-152/Airport Rd. bridge-ramp to eastbound I-44 (runs north) near Will Rogers World Airport in southwest Oklahoma City begins Sept. 8, 2020 and take about three months to complete.
- The eastbound SH-152 ramp to eastbound I-44 (runs north) will be closed Sept. 28. through late fall 2020.
- During the ramp closure, eastbound SH-152 traffic will be detoured on westbound I-44 (runs south) to S.W. 59th St. just to the south to turn around and go back east on I-44 (runs north) toward downtown Oklahoma City.
- This will impact airport traffic, especially travelers coming to Oklahoma City and businesses in the area. Drivers should plan for this short detour or use other routes.
Project Info
- Work includes replacing expansion joints and making repairs to the bridge piers and approaches on the eastbound SH-152/Airport Rd. ramp to eastbound I-44.
- The more than $610,000 construction contract was awarded to K&R Builders, Inc., of Wheatland, Okla., in July 2020.
I-44 bridge and pavement rehabilitation between I-40 and S.W. 74th St. - Work continues through spring 2022
(Note: While I-44 runs north-south in this area, I-44 is an east-west interstate and locations are referred to as eastbound and westbound.)
***Traffic impacts change from week to week - Check the latest daily OKC Traffic Advisory here***
- Work to rehabilitate I-44 between I-40 (near mm 120) and S.W. 74th St. (mm 114) in Oklahoma City begins in mid-September 2020 and continues through spring 2022.
- Commuters and especially Will Rogers World Airport traffic can expect significant delays and congestion and should plan extra travel time or use an alternate route.
- Drivers should be prepared for a rougher driving surface on I-44 during construction, as the final process to smooth all of the new concrete will take place near the end of the project.
- I-44 Lane Closures
- I-44 will be narrowed to two lanes in each direction at various locations during the project. While two lanes in each direction will remain open during peak travel times; drivers can expect additional nighttime and weekend lane and ramp closures.
- The eastbound I-44 bridge over Independence Ave., just northeast of S.W. 44th St., will be narrowed for up to several months. During this time, drivers will not see much work occurring on top of the bridge, because the crews will be working underneath.
- City Street Closures
- East and westbound S.W. 29th St. will be closed to through traffic between Portland Ave. and May Ave. later in the project. Pedestrians will also be unable to cross I-44 on S.W. 29th St. Traffic will be detoured to S.W. 15th St. and S.W. 44th St.
- Closures on city streets will be announced as the project continues.
- Drivers should consider using an alternate route to avoid the work zone, such as I-35 to the east or SH-4 or the John Kilpatrick Turnpike (toll road) to the west.
Project Info
- This project will rehabilitate the I-44 pavement and bridges between I-40 and S.W. 74th St., just south of I-240, in southwest Oklahoma City.
- The existing concrete panels on I-44 will be replaced to create a smoother driving surface and nine bridges will be rehabilitated, including:
- East and westbound I-44 bridges over the Oklahoma River (near mm 120)
- East and westbound S.W. 29th St bridges over I-44 (mm 118)
- Eastbound I-44 bridge over Independence Ave. (just north of S.W. 44th St., near mm 117B)
- East and westbound I-44 bridges over S.W. 59th St. (mm 116A)
- Eastbound I-44 bridge over I-240 (mm 115)
- Westbound I-240 bridge/ramp to westbound I-44 (Exit 1A)
- The $27.5 million contract for this project was awarded in June 2020 to Sherwood Construction of Tulsa. The contract contains internal milestones for completion of work at certain locations with significant traffic impacts.
- This section of highway was built in the early 1970s and the I-44 bridges at the Oklahoma River, S.W. 29th St. and Independence Ave. are rated structurally deficient.
