OTA Provides Update On Gilcrease Turnpike Project Progress

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority gave an update Monday on the progress of the Gilcrease Expressway Extension.

Construction crews said they are on track to finish on time. Monday is day 306 of an 865-day project.

The completed project will connect Highway 412 and the Tisdale Parkway with I-44 in West Tulsa.

Construction crews say the project will make it easier for drivers because right now there's fewer Arkansas river crossings on the west side of the city. It'll also cut down on traffic on the Inner Dispersal Loop downtown.

Project leaders said they've completed all major environmental approvals, right of way acquisitions and they've completed utility relocations. They continue to work on the bridges and will start concrete paving in February.

During the project, crews have uncovered artifacts and animal bones dating back 900 to 1000 years. Archaeologists from neighboring states helped collect those.

Crews said they're also making good progress financially.

"We're at about 39% of the contract that's been earned which might tell you that we're 4% or so ahead of schedule,” said Joe Echelle with OTA. “But before we can claim ahead of any type of schedule we want to make sure we can get that Arkansas River Bridge at least the drill shafts in this spring."

The expressway should be finished by the fall of 2022.