Starting today, a portion of U.S. Route 66 in Wellston, Okla. will be closed for a year as part of the Turner Turnpike Widening Project.
The groundbreaking for the project happened in April. The $48 million project aims to widen a section of the turner Turnpike from four to six lanes. Shoulders and sidewalks will also be added.
"I think if you've driven to Tulsa recently, you know it's needed to widen the rest of the Turner Turnpike," Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Director Joe Echelle said.
Both directions at off-ramps for Interstate 44 and the Turner Turnpike will be closed during construction. Construction on the turnpike will happen on the bridge that runs over Route 66.
Officials said they understand the impact this will have on motorists, and detours will be added in the area.
"It is such an economic driver for the state of Oklahoma as well," Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell said. "Over half of all sales tax collected in the state of Oklahoma is on a Route 66 road."
The Oklahoma Transportation Authority (OTA) has offered the contractors $20,000 per day to finish the project early.
--------------------------------------------------
Source: KOCO.com, News9.com
