Last Updated on September 14, 2022, 3:59 PM | Published: September 14, 2022
OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — The span across all six lanes and a wide median of the Northwest Expressway at Wilshire for cyclists and pedestrians was installed in the dark-early hours of Wednesday morning before rush hour.
Although it is in, considerable more construction to complete the whole $5.3 million project continues on. The construction was launched in November 2021 and is completion is expected in some time in fall of 2022. The project is funded by the 2007 Bond Program and the 2017 Better Streets, Safer City Bond Program.
Earlier information provided by the City said the outside lanes in both directions would be closed but we observed on Wednesday that the INSIDE lanes are closed at present as work continues.
Construction details are extensive. They include water line relocation, excavation, reinforced steel, a prefabricated bridge, superstructure, stair placement, ramps and guardrails, ADA curb ramps, lighting, signing, striping, sidewalks and driveway replacement.
The design of the facility has been brought into question by some in the walking/cycling community contending that full accommodation has been made to car and truck traffic with even the ornamentation of the bridge recalling grill ornaments of 1950s cars. One cycling advocate called the design “car-centric.” However, there has been no great outcry against the ADA-designed facility.
Here is our report from last year as the project began:
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
