By Bailey Coyle, FOX23.com News Staff
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Construction is set to begin Tuesday on a major road project in Broken Arrow aimed at easing congestion and improving safety along a busy stretch of County Line Road.
City leaders said crews will start work to widen 23rd Street, also known as County Line Road, from two lanes to five lanes along a one mile stretch.
“We have a contractor starting on widening this road from the two lanes that you see out here today to five lanes for the entire mile,” said Charlie Bright, the Director of Engineering and Construction for Broken Arrow.
The project stems from the 2018 General Obligation Bond approved by voters. Bright said getting to this point has taken years of preparation.
“That process can take anywhere from three to five years. You go through design, right-of-way acquisition and then relocating utilities before you can even begin construction.”
The corridor has become increasingly important as the city continues to grow.
It serves as a key route connecting neighborhoods to retail areas and nearby schools, including Broken Arrow High School and Vanguard Academy.
“This is one of those primary corridors as you get back to the heart of the community. Traffic volumes continue to increase year over year, so it’s important for us to widen the road for capacity.”
City officials said the ultimate goal is to improve both efficiency and safety, especially during peak commute times when drivers often face delays.
“People will be able to get to their destinations more quickly and safely.”
The project is expected to take about 535 days to complete, longer than a typical one mile road project due to challenging terrain and the need to construct new bridge structures.
“There are low areas and some significant bridges, so we’ll have to build temporary roadways while keeping traffic moving.”
Drivers can expect some disruptions during construction, including shifting traffic patterns and reduced speeds.
However, the city said at least one lane in each direction will remain open throughout the project.
Beyond traffic improvements, the project will also add pedestrian features, including a 10-foot wide trail on the east side of the road and a five-foot sidewalk on the west side.
Officials said this is just one of several infrastructure projects underway across the city, each of which is tied to voter-approved funding.
“As a city growing at the rate that we are, we have about 10 miles of road either under construction or about to begin. We’re showing voters we’re doing what they asked us to do and preparing for future growth.”
Bright also encouraged residents to stay engaged in upcoming elections, noting that future infrastructure projects depend on continued voter support.
