More highway access to northwest Tulsa has just opened, with traffic flowing on the newest 2.2-mile section of the Gilcrease Expressway between the L.L. Tisdale Parkway and North 41st West Avenue. The roadway was constructed as a two-lane highway on a four-lane right of way, to allow for future widening.
North Osage Drive between Apache Street and 36th Street North, which had been closed during the construction, will also open.
Two contracts were awarded for this project, with construction completed in three phases. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation contracted with Plains Bridge, Treas Construction and United General Contractors for $13.1 million to construct the first two phases: grading, drainage – two large box culverts (bridges), two stormwater detention ponds near the bridges, a traffic signal at the Gilcrease Expressway/Tisdale Parkway interchange, and paving on Osage Drive where it intersects with the Gilcrease Expressway. The first two phases were completed in October 2011.
For the third phase of the project – paving the expressway between the Tisdale Parkway and North 41st West Avenue –
ODOT entered into a $7.8 million contract with Becco Contractors Inc. Construction for the final phase occurred between July 2011 and December 2012.