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I-35 narrowed between Paoli and Pauls Valley through early 2022, I-35 work near Wayne begins summer 2021

Monday, May 24, 2021

This project is weather permitting:

Motorists in southern Oklahoma should be alert to two major I-35 corridor projects getting underway in Garvin and McClain counties.

I-35 is currently narrowed to one lane in each direction from about three miles south of SH-145 (mm 76) near Paoli to SH-19 (mm 72) in Pauls Valley in Garvin County through early October 2021 for the first phase of a pavement reconstruction project. All lanes of I-35 will reopen Oct. 8 through Oct. 10 for the University of Oklahoma’s Red River Showdown football game in Texas. Work will resume the following week and I-35 will remain narrowed through early 2022 for the second phase of pavement work.

This project includes reconstruction of more than three miles of I-35 pavement from SH-19 to the Washita River bridges. The work zone is adjacent to an I-35 bridge rehabilitation project at SH-19 that is nearing completion.

Drivers should also be alert to an upcoming interstate project just to the north in McClain County. I-35 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction between SH-59 (mm 86) and two miles south of SH-59 (mm 84) near Wayne for pavement reconstruction beginning in summer 2021. More information will be announced as the schedule is finalized. The construction contractor will be working at both locations concurrently to maximize resources.

Motorists must pay extra attention to traffic signs in the work zones, which include variable speed limit signs and a dynamic Zipper Merge that will change depending on current traffic conditions and congestion.

Drivers are urged to exercise patience and to plan ahead as significant congestion and lengthy delays can be expected, especially during peak travel times like weekends and holidays. Traffic conditions maps and other resources are available to the public through the free Drive Oklahoma smart phone app or at www.oktraffic.org. Motorists can use alternate routes to avoid the corridor, such as US-81 to the west or US-69/75 to the east if traveling to and from Tulsa or eastern Oklahoma. Travelers should be alert that nearby US-77 is also narrowed to one lane at the Washita River between Paoli and Pauls Valley for bridge work and is not a recommended alternate route.

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission awarded the nearly $20 million and $12 million contracts for these two projects, respectively, to IHC Scott, Inc., of Englewood, Colo.

For more information on current I-35 corridor construction, visit https://oklahoma.gov/odot/citizen/major-projects/ongoing-projects/i-35-corridor-projects.html  

Last Modified on May 24, 2021
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