Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford joined city and state officials Wednesday to break ground on the next phase of the long-awaited Interstate 44/U.S. Highway 75 interchange project, known locally as “Traffic Henge.”
The $252 million project is Oklahoma’s largest single transportation investment and will fully reconstruct the busy interchange, Oklahoma Department of Transportation (OKDOT) said Tim Gatz executive director, in a statement.
The project is supported by $95 million in federal grants, secured with help from Lankford and other congressional leaders.
The project will widen U.S. Highway 75 between 71st and 41st streets, replace the 61st Street interchange, extend 51st Street under U.S. Highway 75, build a pedestrian bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad, and construct 17 bridges.
The nickname “Traffic Henge” comes from bridge piers installed during the first phase, completed in 2023. That phase included a $90 million widening of I-44 and major ramp reconfigurations.
“Improving this corridor isn’t just about concrete and steel—it’s about safer roads, better commutes and a stronger foundation for growth,” Lankford said.
Manhattan Road and Bridge is the contractor for the project, which is expected to be completed in summer 2028. About 150,000 vehicles travel through the interchange daily, including roughly 21,000 trucks.
A future project is planned to complete I-44 widening west of the interchange.
Source: Soonerstatenews.com, Oklahoma.gov
