Groundbreaking Set for I-244 Multi-Modal Bridge
A groundbreaking will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, April 15, to
kick off construction of a new multi-modal bridge spanning the
Arkansas River on westbound I-244 in Tulsa. The Oklahoma Department
of Transportation and the City of Tulsa will turn ceremonial dirt
at the parking lot adjacent to the skybridge over Riverside Drive
at Southwest Boulevard. The skybridge leads to the Cyrus Avery
Route 66 Centennial Plaza.
The Oklahoma Transportation Commission has approved a contract
with Manhattan Road and Bridge Co. to replace this structurally
deficient bridge with a double-decker bridge. The cost of
construction is $64 million; the cost of construction time is $14
million, bringing the total bid to $78 million. Work is expected to
begin in mid-spring 2011, and the project is scheduled to be
complete in two years.
The new structure will incorporate highway lanes on the top
side, with two dedicated future rail lines and an area for bicycle
and pedestrian traffic underneath. The project cost is a
combination of federal funds, including a nearly $50 million
federal TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic
Recovery) Grant in February 2010. This grant cycle was extremely
competitive, with more than 1,400 applications submitted
nationwide. The I-244 multi-modal bridge is considered one of the
top projects in the country to receive this funding.
The existing westbound I-244 bridge will be removed and the new
bridge built along the current alignment. During construction
westbound traffic will detour onto the eastbound I-244 bridge which
will accommodate two-way traffic. The existing eastbound bridge is
scheduled for replacement in 2013, although the $30 million
estimated project cost is not fully funded at this time.
