Work is expected to begin Oct. 9 on the reconstruction of the Old Stroud Rd. bridge over the I-44/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 near 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 I44/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 SH18/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 I44/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.