The lack of snow days means more time to work for crews on a major Tulsa road project.

Work on the double decker I-244 Bridge started at the end of April.

ODOT authorities say the work over the Arkansas River is right on schedule and expected to be complete in 2013.

Two ramps are still closed. Drivers going westbound on the Broken Arrow Expressway have to exit at Houston. The ramp north to Sand Springs is also closed.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation spokeswoman Kenna Mitchell says, “Currently, crews continue to work on the sub-structure and also hanging beams along several spans on the south end. “

The project is the first of its kind.

The current bridge was built in 1967.

Authorities say it is functionally obsolete and in critical need of replacement.

Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley says, “The opportunity to construct a bridge of this magnitude is not without challenges, particularly to the drivers who use this corridor each day. We will make every effort to keep traffic flowing on I-244 during construction.”

The cost of construction is $64 million and the cost of construction time is $14 million, bringing the total bid to $78 million.

The project cost is a combination of federal funds and a nearly $50 million federal TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Grant received in February 2010.

You can check on exit and lane closures by going to www.okladot.state.ok.us.