If you drove U.S. Interstate 44 north of Newcastle either out of, or into the community early last week, you were likely held up for some time. Slow movin cars inched forward to squeeze thru either a single northbound or southbound lane.
Contract crews working for ODOT were performing prep work on the bridge before replacing the bridge expansion joints. Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials told city officials that once prep work is completed, it will take approximately 48 hours to install the expansion joints. ODOT says this project will continue through August 14.
City Manager Kevin Self’s office released information stating that during bridge rehabilitation, the north and south bound lanes are being left open during rush hour traffic. Self states that the current phase of rehabilitation will require a single, nighttime lane closure in the southbound direction beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday.
Lanes are being shifted during a construction phase later this fall, possibly October or November, once expansion joints have been delivered to the site. Message boards will be in place prior to this phase, according to Self.
“My office has been assured what our citizens and commuters experienced Monday morning/evening will not happen again,” Self said. “All four lanes, both directions should remain open during rush hour traffic during the current phase of work. More information will be provided regarding the next phase of construction this fall when it becomes available.”
The City Manager mentioned that he was concerned for the traveling public.
Self said, “Please plan on using alternate routes when traveling, be prepared for traffic congestion, and allow enough time to get to where you are going.”
City Council member Mike Fullerton said this project is just one that the Newcastle area will have underway in the next few years. He said there are projects on highways within the city limits of Newcastle, and work will soon begin on turnpike projects in the area.
Fullerton said Newcastleres idents will need to be patient with these infrastructure projects and the different phases of construction, as well as any weather or unforeseen conditions which could impact projects. He suggests checking a traffic app on phones or electronic devices before heading out on the roadways.
Fullerton said the Newcastle area has some of these projects noted on ODOT’s 8-Year Construction Plan.
“There are millions of dollars of projects coming to this area, but when complete will help make travel easier and safer in the Newcastle area,” he said.
ODOT projects include: I-44 reconstruct from 89th Street, south to the Canadian River Bridge. ODOT will be purchasing right of way in 2026 and starting utilities in 2026.
SH-76 from Walnut Creek north approximately 4.5 miles to SH-130. ODOT will be purchasing right-of-way and starting utilities in 2024, and then performing work on grade, drain and surface in 2027.
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority projects include the Tri-City connector interchanges at 1-44 and SH-152, and a new alignment for the H.E. Bailey Turnpike at Newcastle along with a connector interchange, known as the East-West Connector turnpike from State Highway 37 which goes across the South Canadian River and eventually connects in Norman to Indian Hills Road and to U.S. Interstate 35.
