By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Bridge beams have been installed as construction progresses on a new highway interchange in Yukon.
A state contractor, Sherwood Construction, is building the $14 million interchange at Interstate 40 and Frisco Road – mile marker 135.
Work was slowed during a recent stretch of bad weather, but crews are back on track moving full speed ahead to meet a projected early fall completion.
“Progress is really going well,” Yukon City Manager Tammy Kretchmar reported this week.
This new I-40 interchange will help alleviate traffic congestion at the Garth Brooks Boulevard interchange while providing additional access to INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Hospital and nearby commercial development.
City leaders and developers envision hotels, restaurants and other sales tax-generating retailers to build along Frisco Road in Yukon city limits.
Ward 1 City Council Member Rick Cacini shared aerial photos of the I-40/Frisco Road interchange construction project.
Cacini, a pilot, took the pictures during a recent flight to offer a birds-eye view of how much has been done as decking is built for the overpass.
ON-TIME COMPLETION
Sherwood Construction is on schedule to finish the interchange project on time, Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) spokeswoman Lisa Shearer-Salim said.
The contractor started Sept. 8, 2020 and was allotted 360 days to complete the project, she added.
Last summer, Sherwood was awarded a $14,061,010.28 contract. The company’s bid was $2.7 million below the engineer’s estimate.
ODOT funding covers 65% and the City of Yukon’s local share is $35% of the project cost.
She reminded motorists to remain vigilant while driving through the busy construction zone. Lanes have been adjusted and speed limits reduced.
Nearly 46,000 is the average traffic count along I-40 near the site of the future interchange.
Before interchange construction began, the City of Yukon widened to four lanes Frisco Road north of I-40 to State Highway 66 (Main Street).
