I-44/Turner Turnpike bridge, frontage road project work begins Oct. 9

Work is expected to begin Oct. 9 on the reconstruction of the Old Stroud Rd. bridge over the I44/Turner Turnpike to accommodate the future widening of the turnpike to six lanes.

This more than $8.3 million project was awarded by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Board at its September monthly meeting to Sherwood Construction. Work is expected to take about a year with expected completion in fall 2024, weather permitting. This is the first of two planned projects that ultimately will realign the I-44/Turner Turnpike lanes and ramps at the Stroud service plaza.

Additional work that will occur during the year-long project includes: 

• A two-way frontage road will be added between Old Stroud Rd./County Rd. N. 3550 and SH-99/N. Eighth Ave. near Stroud. 
• Reconstruction of Old Stroud Rd./County Rd. N. 3550 between W. Seventh St. and just south of the Turner Turnpike toward SH-66. The bridge will be closed to traffic later in the project. 
• W. Seventh St. will be reconstructed between Old Stroud Rd. west toward the turnpike service plaza toward Ozark Trail Rd. 
• Motorists can expect shoulder repairs to take place along eastbound and westbound I44/Turner Turnpike later in the project. 

Scheduled in 2024 will be three full overnight closures of I-44/Turner Turnpike for bridge demolition and hanging bridge beams. The detour during these overnight lane closures will be exiting at Stroud to SH-66 to SH-18/N. Price Ave. in Chandler. More details about the closures will be announced at a later date once scheduling is finalized.

While the majority of the work will not directly impact I-44/Turner Turnpike traffic until later in 2024, motorists are advised to be alert when exiting to the service plaza as the work area will shift as the project progresses.