By Eric Donovan

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Tulsa drivers, brace yourselves for a season of narrow lanes and daily detours as the city undergoes multiple highway construction projects. According to an advisory published by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, US-75 will experience intermittent lane closures at I-244 (northeast corner of the Inner Dispersal Loop) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through mid-October due to ongoing works.

In a mission to potentially complicate your daily commute, eastbound I-244 is narrowed to one single lane at the US-75 junction, also at the northeast corner of the Inner Dispersal Loop, with these conditions expected to persist through October 2025 for bridge rehabilitation. The westbound SH-51/Broken Arrow Expressway isn’t spared from the traffic disruptions, as the left lane between Memorial Dr. and Mingo Rd. will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through the end of September for a lighting improvement project.

Major improvements continue to unfold at the I-44 and US-75 exchange, and this lengthy project isn’t slated for completion until the summer of 2028. The project currently prompts closures of several on and off-ramps along these highways, forcing drivers to seek alternative detour routes. Also, I-44, SH-66 interchange improvements will keep chugging along in Catoosa through 2026, narrowing lanes and shifting traffic patterns as the work progresses.

The structural integrity of our bridges is also under the microscopic lens, with north and southbound US-75 being reduced to one lane between 56th St. N. and 66th St. N. through the summer of 2026. Similarly, the US-75 bridge at 141st St. in Glenpool is also undergoing construction, prompting lane shifts and ramp closures through October 2025, although two lanes of traffic will be open in each direction during peak travel times. “Drivers on north and southbound US-75 should be aware of narrowed and shifted lanes, ramp closures and a reduced speed limit at 141st St. in Glenpool through October 2025 as part of a bridge construction project,” warns the Oklahoma DOT.

Residents in Sand Springs must also adjust their schedules as SH-97 pavement rehabilitation extends through November 2025, with two lanes of traffic maintained during peak hours. To add to the mix, SH-66 is narrowed to one lane in both directions at the Bird Creek bridge near Catoosa, a restriction that will hover over drivers until early 2026 due to a bridge replacement project.

For those constantly on the move, these construction projects demand patience and careful planning. Be sure to stay updated on traffic advisories and plan your routes accordingly to avoid any unwelcome surprises on the roads.