Project Update: Bridge beam operations advance I-344/John Kilpatrick Turnpike project; Memorial Rd., Council Rd., and John Kilpatrick Turnpike lane closures scheduled Fri., July 24 - Thurs., July 30

Bridge beam placement continues as part of ongoing construction along the I‑344/John Kilpatrick Turnpike near Memorial Rd. and Council Rd. Beginning July 24, motorists should be aware of short‑duration traffic stops and several overnight lane closures as crews set bridge beams for the new structures. Drivers are advised to use caution throughout the work zone and expect delays during these operations.

Scheduled traffic impacts include: (weather permitting)

• Traffic on westbound Memorial Rd. to east of Council Rd. will be briefly stopped for 3–5 minutes at a time between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on July 24 and again between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Northbound Council Rd. will be narrowed south of I-344/John Kilpatrick Turnpike from 8 p.m. Monday. July 27, to 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, and again from 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, to 6 a.m., Wednesday, July 29
• Eastbound and westbound I-344/John Kilpatrick Turnpike will be narrowed to one lane near Council Rd. from 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 28 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, and again from 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, to 6 a.m., Thursday, July 30

Project background: 

This $12.2 million project will widen westbound Memorial Rd. to three lanes between Council Rd. and Rockwell Ave., add a protected turnaround at Council Rd., and a new on-ramp from eastbound Memorial Rd. to eastbound I-344/John Kilpatrick Turnpike.

The Council Road bridge above the John Kilpatrick will be widened with a dedicated protected turnaround lane from westbound Memorial Rd. to eastbound Memorial Rd. connecting to the new eastbound John Kilpatrick on-ramp to better facilitate peak traffic demand in the area.

Other traffic impacts include:

• Eastbound Memorial Rd. will be narrowed to one lane between Council Rd. and Rockwell Ave. through summer 2026 for construction of the new lane and the new on-ramp to John Kilpatrick Turnpike.
• Northbound and southbound Council Rd. lanes will be narrowed and shifted between just north of westbound Memorial Rd. and just south of eastbound Memorial Rd. through summer 2026 for the construction of the protected turnaround lanes.
• Eastbound I-344/John Kilpatrick Turnpike lane widths will be narrowed, and the lanes will slightly shift at Council Rd. through summer 2026.

This project was awarded by the OTA Board in February 2026 to Allen Contracting Inc. Work is expected to be completed in late spring 2027, weather permitting.