I-44 bridge near Catoosa to be replaced

BY CASEY SMITH World Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
2/05/13 at 7:33 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY - A $15 million contract to replace the Interstate 44 bridge over 177th East Avenue near Catoosa is among the projects for which the Oklahoma Transportation Commission awarded contracts at its monthly meeting Monday.

The commission awarded Sherwood Construction the project, which will replace two structurally deficient bridges at 177th East Avenue and will widen the highway from four to eight lanes.

The project is a continuation of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation's goal of widening the I-44 corridor, ODOT spokeswoman Kenna Mitchell said. Construction likely will begin in late spring and is scheduled to last about 15 months.

During that time drivers can expect some lane shifts as well as closures on some nights and weekends, Mitchell said.

The work is one of 55 projects statewide worth $174 million that the commission awarded Monday.

Included is a roughly $51 million contract to widen the nearly five miles of I-40 between Morgan Road in Oklahoma City and Garth Brooks Boulevard in Yukon to six lanes. Duit Construction Co. and TTK Construction Co. will complete the joint venture, which is scheduled to last about 20 months.

The project will conclude the widening of the I-40 corridor between Oklahoma City and El Reno.

Also during Monday's meeting, Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Executive Director Gail Ederer presented ODOT with the Keep America Beautiful National Partner Award.

Keep America Beautiful, a nonprofit organization, and the U.S. Department of Transportation give the award to state departments of transportation for exemplary contributions and support to Keep America Beautiful and its Great American Cleanup effort, an annual community improvement program.

ODOT contributes to the cleanup effort's logistics by getting donated materials to participating community groups and volunteers. Last spring 346 cleanup events were held across Oklahoma. More than 60,000 volunteers in all 77 counties removed more than 5 million pounds of litter from highways, nature trails and wetlands.

This is the first time ODOT has received the national award.

Original Print Headline: I-44 bridge replacement slated

Casey Smith 918-732-8106
casey.smith@tulsaworld.com

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